Cancer to become leading cause of death worldwide in 2010, says report

Washington, Dec 12 (ANI): Cancer is projected to become the leading cause of death worldwide in the year 2010, according to a new report the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the report, the burden of cancer doubled globally between 1975 and 2000, and cancer is expected to become the leading cause of death worldwide in 2010.

Now, IARC is asking the government would help fund cancer prevention and research initiatives and international tobacco control policies.

"This is a very important issue and does indeed deserve the attention of governments around the world," said Timothy Gardner, M.D., President of the American Heart Association.

The report states that reasons for the growing cancer burden include the adoption in less developed countries of "Western" habits such as tobacco use and high calorie, high-saturated and trans-fat diets.

"These factors are also significant contributors to the global burden of cardiovascular disease. The IARC's aggressive support of tobacco control is particularly important, as cigarette smoking is the main preventable cause of premature death in the United States, as well as worldwide," said Gardner. (ANI)