The development of the series of U.S. cancer atlases: implications for future epidemiologic research.

An historic perspective on the development of the National Cancer Institute's series of cancer atlases is provided. Emphasis is placed on the role which emergent questions concerning environmental determinants of cancer played in the acquisition and utilization of data resources. Studies which were fielded as a consequence of the atlases are highlighted. The legacy of the collective effort of many persons who worked on the development of the cancer atlases-the facilitation of many current epidemiologic investigations-is discussed.