Statistics on causes of death in China in 2025 are released, and cancer continues to top the top ten causes of death

2026/06/22 11:31

The Ministry of Health and Welfare explains the statistics on causes of death in the country. (Photo by reporter Lin Zhiyi)

[Reporter Lin Zhiyi/Report from Taipei] The Ministry of Health and Welfare today announced the statistical results of the causes of death in the country in 2025. Among them, cancer ranks first among the top 10 causes of death in the country for 44 consecutive years. The ranking is the same as in 2024, still led by "trachea, bronchus and lung cancer", and ranked in the top three with lung cancer, liver cancer, and colorectal cancer for 22 consecutive years. Other statistical results show that the standardized mortality rate of lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer has increased compared with 2024.

The top 10 causes of cancer deaths in 2025 are ranked according to mortality rate, including trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, liver and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, colon, rectum and anus cancer, female breast cancer, prostate (prostate) cancer, oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.

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Lv Shujun, section chief of the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that cancer is expected to cause 54,838 deaths in 2025, an increase of 806 from 2024. There will be 234.9 cancer deaths per 100,000 people, and the standardized mortality rate is 111.5, showing a downward trend year by year. In terms of standard mortality rates for each cancer category, except for lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer, which increased, the standardized mortality rates for the other seven causes of cancer deaths all decreased.

In addition, among the causes of death from screenable cancers, the standardized mortality rates of female breast cancer, oral cancer, and gastric cancer have decreased compared with 2024, colorectal cancer has remained the same, and lung cancer and cervical cancer have increased.

In response to the increase in standardized mortality rates for lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer, Lin Liru, deputy director of the National Health Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that my country has currently promoted publicly funded lung cancer screening and provided low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening services to people with a family history and heavy smoking history who meet the requirements. More early cases have been found, and the disease prognosis is better. In the long term, my country's lung cancer mortality rate has shown a downward trend.

However, Lin Liru said frankly that in terms of long-term trends, the standardized death rate of pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer has shown a slight upward trend, and has fluctuated in recent years. Among them, there is currently no suitable screening method for pancreatic cancer. She reminds the public to pay attention to symptoms such as upper abdominal pain and back pain, and be sure to seek medical diagnosis early. In addition, maintaining a normal weight, exercising more, and paying attention to a balanced diet may reduce the risk of disease.

Lin Liru said that in terms of ovarian cancer, the causes may be related to hormones, age, fertility, obesity, etc. If the public finds abnormal abdominal masses, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. In addition, the National Health Administration will also pay attention to domestic and foreign scientific evidence data to provide cancer screening methods that can be used for early detection and early treatment. She calls on the public to take advantage of it and pay attention to physical changes in daily life.