Geospatial mapping of health-linked risk factors and cancer outcomes in Puerto Rico: Data from the Puerto Rico BioBank

The Puerto Rico BioBank (PRBB), established through a partnership between the Ponce Health Sciences University and the Moffitt Cancer Center with support from the National Cancer Institute, was the first centralized cancer-focused biorepository in Puerto Rico. It was designed to collect, store, and distribute well-annotated biological specimens and associated clinical data from individuals diagnosed with cancer across the island. The PRBB supports translational research by providing high-quality biospecimens linked to demographic, diagnostic, and geographic data. As of 2025, the biobank has accrued over 5,000 participants. The aim of this study is to describe the current structure and contents of the PRBB and highlight how its integrated dataset enables the mapping of health-linked factors such as comorbidities, geographic distance to care, sociodemographic factors, and diagnosis.Since 2019, the PRBB has enrolled 2,550 individuals diagnosed with cancer through academic-affiliated hospitals and clinics in southern Puerto Rico. All participants provided consent for the collection of tissue samples, clinical information, and zip code at the time of diagnosis. The dataset includes clinico-pathological variables, comorbidities, treatment pathways, and demographic variables. Biospecimens and data are collected, processed, and stored under standardized protocols consistent with national biobanking best practices and managed under institutional IRB-approved procedures. Statistical analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. Analysis was performed using R statistical software version 2025.09.1+401.Preliminary analysis shows that over 50% of PRBB participants live more than 30 km from Ponce, the primary site for diagnostic and specialty care for patients from the central municipalities often traveling 45-90 minutes each way for services. Sociodemographic data further reveal that 35% of participants have only completed grades 8-12. Most participants report household annual incomes under $40,000 (83%), and 37% are publicly insured. Additionally, 73% have a family history of cancer and 29% report current or past tobacco use.The PRBB serves as a robust and expanding research platform for investigating region-specific factors that influence cancer outcomes across the island. By integrating biospecimens with clinical, geographic, and sociodemographic data, the PRBB enables the identification of spatial patterns related to stage at diagnosis, access to care, and treatment variability. This infrastructure supports future studies aimed at improving early detection, guiding mobile screening initiatives, and informing resource planning to address cancer burden in Puerto Rico.