Data published by the national institute of statistics

Cancer and heart attacks the main cause of death in Islands

Sunbathing. Skin cancer on the increase in Menorca

These accounted for more than 4,500 of the 7,361 deaths in the Balearics in 2005, flu, asthma and pneumonia for 784, road accidents 108 and AIDS 21

C.M.W..Maó

Cancer and cardiorespiratory diseases continue to be the two main causes of death in the Balearic Islands. According to information published last week by the INE (National Institute of Statistics), more than 4,500 of the 7,361 deaths in 2005 were as a result of these diseases.

The head of IB-Salut in Menorca, Claudio Triay, stated that cancer of the colon was the disease which has seen the biggest increase in the islands, as well as in the rest of the country. He believes that the rising number of cases can be attributed to various reasons, including a poor diet and a lifestyle incorrectly balanced between day to day stress and healthy leisure pursuits. "Improving these aspects, opting for a balanced diet, avoiding an excess of alcohol and tobacco and living a healthy life" are the main ways of preventing these diseases, he explained.

The head of the Verge de Monte Toro Hospital in Maó commented that the majority of cardiorespiratory diseases and tumours affected the elderly, whilst middle-aged people ran the greatest risk of suffering some form of cardiorespiratory failure. The main cause of death amongst the younger generations is still given as traffic accidents, followed by cancer of the lung or breast.

Skin cancer is starting to become more prevalent in Menorca and Triay explained that "it is a type of tumour, in cases where it is not a melanoma, that is very localised and has a high cure rate, but it is important to remember the need for protection from the sun, especially in summer".

Apart from cancer and heart problems, other causes of death in the Balearic Islands during 2005 included 21 cases of AIDS, 784 of influenza, asthma or pneumonia and 108 traffic fatalities.

As a method of prevention, Triay suggested a change of habits in everyday life, saying that, despite new and better technologies for detecting and treating diseases, a healthy attitude towards life could be a good formula for avoiding health problems.

Life expectancy of 82 years

The statistics published by the INE show that life expectancy in the Balearic Islands is approximately 82 years.

The age bracket which saw the largest number of deaths in the Balearics in 2005 was 80-90 years which accounted for 2,947 of the total 7,361 deaths, whilst the number of under-19´s who died was just 82. Adults aged from 40 to 65 years accounted for more than 1,000 of the deaths.

An interesting note is that 348 of the people who died in the Balearics in 2005 were aged 95 years or more.