| TOP 10 Causes Of Death
The following is a list of the top 10 causes of death in American women. NOTE: This is not a list of the diseases women get - for example, the rates of breast cancer and lung cancer are fairly similar, it's just that lung cancer is more likely to kill you.
| Cause of Death |
% Of Deaths |
Extra Notes on Signs |
1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
Top 3 cancers that kill are:
-- Lung cancer (39 percent)
-- Breast cancer (22.5 percent)
-- Colon cancer (14 percent)
3. Stroke
4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
5. Alzheimer's disease
6. Unintentional injuries (accidents)
7. Diabetes
8. Influenza and pneumonia
9. Kidney disease
10. Septicemia |
25 percent
22 percent
6.7 percent
5.5 percent
4.3 percent
3.6 percent
2.9 percent
2.3 percent
2.0 percent
1.6 percent |
Signs of heart disease.
Signs of cancer
Signs of breast cancer
Signs of stroke
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Signs of diabetes |
Explanation Notes On Above Table
1. Heart Disease: Despite the myth that heart disease is a man's problem, it is the No.1 killer of American women over the age of 65. If a woman has a heart attack, she is more likely to die than a man. This is because she is less likely to display classic heart attack symptoms (squeezing chest pain) and may not seek medical help soon enough as a result. For more, see our guide to heart disease in women.
2. Cancer: Lung cancer, largely caused by smoking, is the biggest cancer killer in women, followed by breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Nearly half of cancers can be found through self-examination and screening. It's worth knowing that the 5 year survival rate of early detected cancers is close to 95 percent. See, recommended female health screenings.
3. Stroke: More women die from stroke every year than men. In particular, they die from ischemic strokes. See, guide to stroke prevention.
4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases: These are conditions which affect the lower lungs and typically includes chronic obstructed pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most of these diseases are caused by smoking. In recent years more women than men are dying of COPD.
5. Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's disease affects memory and thinking skills. Symptoms usually only appear after the age of 60. See head problems.
6. Unintentional Injuries: These are accidental injuries which result in death. The main accidents that kill women are: falling, poisoning, suffocation, drowning, burns caused by fire and car crashes. Falls are of particular concern to older women with osteoporosis, see hip fractures. Accidental poisoning is significantly on the rise, largely caused by mistakenly taking high doses of prescription medications. This statistic does not cover suicide which is considered an intentional injury.
7. Diabetes: Gestational diabetes (diabetes that starts in pregnancy) can cause miscarriages and birth defects. The rise in obesity in women has been linked to increasing numbers developing type 2 diabetes later in life, which can lead to medical complications.
8. Influenza and Pneumonia: This mainly affects the elderly and pregnant women. See, flu in pregnancy.
9. Kidney Disease: Most common types of kidney disease that kill are nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis. Kidney disease is often a complication of diabetes.
10. Septicemia: Infection of the blood. This condition made headlines not long ago when a former Miss World finalist died after a urinary tract infection progressed to septicemia. |
