What is GIS?
A computer system for capturing, storing, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data related to positions on the Earth's surface. Typically, a Geographical Information System (or Spatial Information System) is used for handling maps of one kind or another. These might be represented as several different layers where each layer holds data about a particular kind of feature. Each feature is linked to a position on the graphical image of a map. [Source: AGI]
Why GIS for Cancer Information Provision ?
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) use the fact that most health, socio-demographic and environmental data contains some small piece of information about the location to which the data refers. This locational information might be in the form of an address, postcode or grid reference; it might refer to a particular census output area, ward or primary care trust. By understanding the relationships between the boundaries of these areas and the addresses or grid references within them we can relate data from many different sources to specific parts of our region.
GIS capture data relating to positions on the earth’s surface, stores, and integrates that information to allow complex analyses based on shared locations. Typically the GIS will produce map outputs but can also output information in spreadsheet and database formats for integration and anlysis with other systems e.g. statistical and management systems.
GIS can use an almost infinite number of data layers and interrogate them individually, sequentially or in unison to assess relationships between them and use the layers to visualise results.
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