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Taiwan Quick Take: Cancer remains No.1 killer

Cancer remained the nation's No. 1 killer last year for the 24th year in a row, accounting for more than 26 percent of fatalities, according to the Department of Health. On average, cancer claimed a life in Taiwan about every 14 minutes and seven seconds, health officials said on Friday. Thanks to the department's active promotion of early screening, cancer mortality has declined in recent years, the officials said. They warned, however, that the incidence of colon, rectal, breast and oral cancer has increased possibly because of a Westernized diet, higher fat intake, lack of exercise, smoking and chewing betel nuts. The ranking of the top 10 causes of death last year remained almost the same as in 2004, led by cancer and followed by strokes, heart disease, diabetes, accidents, pneumonia, chronic liver disease, kidney disease, suicide and hypertension-related diseases.

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