Cancer Will Be the Number One Killer in the World By 2010

The World Health Organization warns that the rising use of tobacco will help turn cancer into the world’s top killer by 2010.

A WHO report predicts cancer will replace heart disease—in part because of better diagnosing of cancer.  But also a factor is an increase in smoking among residents of developing countries, especially in China and India.

Cancer diagnoses around the world are expected to hit 12 million this year, with the rate of cancer-related deaths reaching 7 million.

The report is being released today in Atlanta by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, along with several other groups including the American Cancer Society.