Cancer is the leading cause of death in the Netherlands NOW

More men than women die of cancer, according to a study by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS). In 2017, men's cancer was responsible for 35% of deaths, compared with 27% for women.

The number of people dying of cancer has increased again in recent years. In 2016, 45,279 people died of the disease; in 2015 and 2014, it was 44,195 and 42,984 people.

After cancer, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death. "Cancer is most often the cause of death between thirty and eighty," according to Statistics Netherlands. "Cardiovascular disease is also a common cause of death in this group, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death among people aged 80 and over."

Also in children aged 1 to 15, causes the number one cancer (20 percent), with a non-natural cause of death. This includes, for example, an accident and a suicide.

Suicide

The study also shows that more than half of young people (aged fifteen to thirty) die for an unnatural cause. This includes accidents and suicide. In 2017, this accounted for more than 53% of the causes of death, compared to more than 50% the previous year.

According to the CAS, the cause lies mainly in the increase in the number of youths committing suicide. Last week, it appeared that 1,917 people in the Netherlands ended their lives in 2017, 23 more than in 2016.

Especially among teenagers, the increase was striking; more young people died of suicide in 2017 than in 2016.

If you want to talk about suicide, go to 113.nl or call the help line for suicide prevention: 0900 -0113.