We are most afraid of cancer, but more people die of cardiovascular disease

St. Olavs Hospital in Trondheim.Photo: Gorm Kallestad / SCANPIX

Nothing scares people more than the thought of getting cancer, although the risk that one dies of heart /vascular disease is greater.

This is according to figures from TNS Gallup Health policy Barometer. Over 1,700 people over age 16 were asked which disease or disorder they are most afraid of being struck by. 58 per cent are most afraid of cancer, which accounts for 27 percent of deaths in Norway annually. Only 7 percent of the population is most afraid of being hit by Norway’s most frequent cause of death, heart / vascular diseases, which accounts for 30 percent of deaths.
– This probably has a lot to do with the fact that  cancer is a common cause of death at a younger age, so people are more afraid of it, while fewer young people die of heart / vascular disease,  Secretary General Lisbet Rugtvedt of the National Association of Public Health said to the news agency NTB.
All in all she thinks Norwegians have a realistic view of the likely causes of death.
– There is little to gain from being afraid in any case, the important thing is to be aware and make sure you have a sufficiently healthy lifestyle.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today