Final answer:
The leading cause of death in Canada is cardiovascular disease, not cancer. However, cancer does remain a major cause of death, particularly in high-income countries, and is largely influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading cause of death in Canada is cardiovascular disease, which includes diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels, like coronary artery disease and stroke. Cancer is a major cause of death globally, particularly in high-income countries, where it accounts for twice as many deaths as cardiovascular diseases, although cancer is not the most frequent cause of death in Canada. It consists of diseases with abnormal cell growth that can invade or spread to other parts of the body. Both cardiovascular diseases and cancer share some common risk factors like obesity, diabetes, and lifestyle choices such as smoking and lack of exercise.
Cancer, while being a significant cause of mortality and a major health concern, has many external and internal factors contributing to its development. Approximately
of cancers are due to inherited genes like
. However, the majority of cancer cases are influenced by environmental factors. Prominent preventable external factors include exposure to tobacco smoke, overexposure to UV rays, and certain lifestyle choices. It is crucial to note that cardiovascular diseases are the most prevalent cause of death worldwide, though in some high-income regions, cancer supersedes it.