Report: Cancer Top Cause of Death, Costs Worldwide

Cancer likely is the leading cause of death in the world and costs more in productivity and lost life than any other illness, according to an American Cancer Society report to be presented this week at the World Cancer Congress in China. The report found that cancer cost the world $895 billion in 2008, equivalent to about 1.5% of the world's entire gross domestic product. A number of advocacy groups have been urging health officials to devote more funding to combat noninfectious causes of death, including cancer.

• "Cancer Is World's Top 'Economic Killer' as Well as Its Leading Cause of Death, Report Finds" (Marchione, AP/Chicago Tribune, 8/16).