Enhancing cancer care, research, and engagement through geographic context: The role of geographic information systems in defining and serving cancer center catchment areas

This letter summarizes the transformative impacts Geographic Information System (GIS) technology can have on cancer care accessibility and outcomes, emphasizing its utility in precisely defining cancer center catchment areas and improving service delivery. By integrating GIS, cancer centers can better understand equity in access to care and take steps to assess and address a spectrum of community health needs within their catchments. By approaching cancer care geographically, spatial information can inform policy development, engage stakeholders, enhance clinical trial participation, guide resource allocation, and provide more compelling and understandable research and information to the public. This letter also aims to illustrate the comprehensive role GIS plays in bridging the gap between genetics and geography in cancer care. The concept of location is ubiquitous in our lives and in our data, yet we are not fully taking advantage of this key resource. I strongly advocate for the wider adoption of geographic approaches in oncology to ensure that advancements in cancer treatment and care are accessible to all, thereby improving health outcomes and equity across populations.