Ecological Importance of Forests in the Prevention of Cancer Diseases

Introduction. The health status of the population is an important indicator of environmental quality and social well-be‑ ing. In recent decades, the number of diseases associated with deteriorating air quality has grown. Malignant neoplasms occupy a special place among them. It has been established that carcinogenic chemicals present in air, water, and soil can cause DNA replication errors and impair immune surveillance, thereby increasing the risk of oncological diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the degree of forest cover and cancer incidence in the municipal districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan, to assess the impact of environmental factors on public health, and to determine their role in cancer prevention. Materials and methods. This was a retrospective, correlational study. Data from 2024 were analyzed for 54 municipal districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The main data sources included of‑ ficial reports from oncology services, Rosstat, the Ministry of Ecology of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and geoportals. Methods of spatial ecology and multiple linear regression were applied, with calculation of regression coefficients, p‑values, confidence intervals, and the coefficient of determination. Results. A statistically significant inverse relationship was identified between the degree of forest cover and cancer incidence: a 1% increase in forest cover was associated with a decrease of 1.825 cases per 100,000 population (p = 0.001, R² = 0.200). When the variable “availability of oncologists” was added, the relationship remained significant (p = 0.002). Spatial analysis confirmed the identified patterns. Discussion. The findings support the hypothesis of a protective role forest ecosystems play against environmental carcinogenic fac‑ tors. Protective mechanisms include absorption of air pollutants, deposition of particulate matter, and biodegradation of heavy metals. Despite the lack of statistically significant influence from medical staffing, the ecological factor proved to be independent. Conclusion. The established relationship between forest cover and reduced cancer incidence necessitates integration of ecological aspects into public health protection strategies. The data obtained may serve as a scientific basis for regional programs of ecological rehabilitation and preventive interventions.

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