In 1993, cancers were the leading cause of death, exceeding heart attacks by almost 3,000 deaths. The cancer death rate increased from 173 deaths per 100,000 population in 1973 to 180 deaths per 100,000 population in 1993. In comparison the death rate from heart attacks in 1993 was almost half the rate recorded in 1973. Both male and female cancer death rates rose between 1973 and 1993. The rate for males rose more rapidly than the rate for females.
Males are more likely to die from cancer than females.
In 1993 the cancer death rate for males was 236 per 100,000 population, while for women it was 141. In the past men were more likely than women to smoke, consume alcohol and experience other health risk factors such as occupational stress. These factors have contributed to the higher cancer death rates for men compared to women. Of the leading cancer death rates, only those for stomach cancer declined significantly between 1973 and 1993. This decline, and the lower death rate from heart disease, could reflect changes in people's diets.