Government Data Shows That Cancer Is The Leading Cause Of Death In South Korea In 2014, Accounting For 28.3 Percent

by Czarelli Tuason / Sep 28, 2015 08:04 AM EDT

Middle-aged woman cancer patient | By: ULTRA.F | Getty Images

Statistics Korea has released a data on Wednesday showing that cancer still remains the leading cause of death in South Korea the previous year. There have been a total of 75,334 deaths, accounting for 28.3 percent, noted Korea Herald on Wednesday.

The death rate for cancer is derived from the number of deaths attributed to cancer per 100,000 people. In 2014, South Korea's cancer death rate has been reported at 149 from 2013's 146.5.

Heart-related diseases comes in second, accounting for 9.9 percent of the total deaths with a death rate of 52.4, while brain-related diseases account for 9.1 percent of deaths. Suicide follows, accounting for 5.2 percent.

Digital Journal reported on Sept. 3 that South Korea ranks eighth in the world's highest cancer rate, just behind the United States, with the Korea Central Cancer Registry pointing to colorectal and stomach cancer as the most common cancer for both men and women.

In response to this, Pyrexar Medical - the pioneer in cancer treatment through thermal therapy systems - will be bringing two new BSD-2000 Deep Regional Hyperthermia systems in South Korea's top hospitals, including Healer's Care Hospital in the city of Busan and the YCH Cancer Hospital in Seoul.

"We are certain this technology is the beginning of improved clinical outcomes in the region and we will continue to expand our market reach by working with channel partners throughout the world," says Pyrexar Medical CEO Mark Falkowski. "Pyrexar continues to deliver the best advanced technological in the thermal therapy marketplace."

Statistics Korea has also revealed that 47.4 percent of the total deaths in South Korea are attributed to cancer, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases collectively. The three diseases are also considered the top three causes of death for both men and women in the country.

Overall, the total death count for South Korea has amounted to 267,692 in 2014, with a death rate of 527.3.