Cancer-related deaths on the rise in Greece

One in 10 deaths recorded in Greece in 2014 were due to blood circulation complications, while one in four were due to cancers, according to a report published by the Greek Statistical Authority.

In brief, 45,859 people died due to circulation-related illnesses – mainly heart and brain conditions – in 2014, but that was down compared to 2000, when 52,283 deaths were recorded.

However, deaths from neoplasms – mostly cancers of the digestive system, the lungs and the prostate – spiked to 29,155 – a significant rise compared to 2000, when 23,775 died.

There was also a significant increase in deaths from respiratory diseases, with 12,231 in 2014 compared to 7,994 in 2000.

The report also highlighted a growing number of deaths due to psychological illnesses – from 84 in 2000 to 669 in 2014, while suicides were also on the rise, with 565 people taking their own lives in 2014 (450 men and 115 women) compared to 382 in 2000.

On the flip side, the report also noted a drop in fatalities due to road accidents – 2,288 in 2000 to 1,025 in 2014.