This week we have been talking about cancer in my cell biology class. My interest was piqued; we had a bar graph in one of our powerpoint slides that showed some cancers and their relative incidence/death rates (that is, how many are diagnosed yearly compared to deaths that year). I decided to do a google search for a more comprehensive chart, and what did I find..

Well, most interestingly, a 72 page report by the American Cancer Society, giving cancer statistics for 2009 – relative rates of recovery based on the last year, new cases, etc. “Ooooh” says College Girl. “Now all I need is to find a way to print out that many pages without running out of ink/paper…”

The other thing I found was a link to the CDCs – specifically, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control’s – data from 1999 forward detailing leading causes of death by age. So, I pulled up a chart: top ten causes of death by age group. It sounds morbid, I know, but that didn’t occur to me until just now. Anyways, the obvious thing to do was pore over this information and make an Excel sheet, thereby wasting a large chunk of my afternoon – I did take a break to listen to a conversation by some of my peers, who were discussing possible reasons for our Chemistry professors’ marital statuses – lol.

So, here it is. I made two charts; one so the information for the lower ages is clear, and the higher ages aren’t skewing the data, and one that shows data all through age 65 and up.

Causes of Death from ages less than 1 to 54.

I know, it looks pretty confusing. But let me clear some things up. First, an explanation of the causes.

Congenital abnormalities are going to be genetic disorders – defined at the website as “Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities.” A wide array of things fall under this category, from major defects that cause neonatal death all the way to disorders such as Down Syndrome (caused by an extra Chromosome 21) which one can live with far into adulthood.

Malignant Neoplasm is a fancy way of saying cancer. “Neoplasm” means “new growth” and malignant means that it is spreading, as compared to a benign tumor which is growing has not metastasized to other parts of the body. Tumors become much more dangerous when they begin to spread.

Influenza and Pneumonia include different types of the flu; I am guessing most of these, especially in older people, are a result of a hospital stay or are only dangerous because of an underlying condition, such as cancer or heart disease.

Septicemia is, roughly said, blood poisoning; it refers to an infection that has spread throughout the body through the blood. This is, again, a result of other conditions, and not something that will likely occur unless the person has other trauma going on.

Finally, Diabetes Mellitus is just a fancy way of saying Diabetes.

So, interesting things to note. Cancer and heart disease incidence is closely correlated with age. Homicide, however, is not; those in middle age are most affected by this. Suicide, however, not so much – this takes a gentle rise over time, though it is not an issue very much before young adulthood. Note also that deaths by diabetes appear past middle age. This is a condition associated with lifestyle, like heart disease.

Note that after the first year, causes of death in children stay low and constant; its once we get to be adults that issues arise. Note the huge increase in death by accidents in the 20-year group.

Causes of death, all ages

Here is the chart, including the 55-64 and 65+ groups. The colors have changed, sorry. I don’t know how to fix that yet.

Note that cancer and heart disease shoot up after 65. Most other causes rise, but not nearly to the same extent. These are two areas of medicine in which great strides are likely to take place in the next few decades, especially due to the greater expanse of information we now have about preventing those diseases.

I find this fascinating. Morbid, I guess, but fascinating. Besides, it was something to do instead of copying my history notes and making a million more flashcards. I guess I’ll go do that now.

Thanks for reading.