Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the biggest killer in Australia

Cancer has surpassed heart disease as the biggest killer in Australia, according to a new report from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The WHO’s World Cancer Report found 8.2 million people died from cancer globally in 2012, including 40,000 Australians. The report was last released six years ago and this is the first major international update on the disease since then. In Australia and other Western countries, the rise in cancer cases has been attributed to ageing populations and increased screening. But the report says 3.7 million cancer deaths could have been avoided by lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight.