New statistics show cancer remains top killer in Massachusetts

BOSTON — Cancer is still the number one cause of death in Massachusetts, according to new statistics from the Department of Public Health.

The department's latest release shows more than 12,000 people in the Commonwealth died from cancer in 2015.

That's 22 percent of all deaths and six times the number of people killed by opioid overdoses.

Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths, claiming more than 3,000 lives.

Despite that, cancer death rates are falling.

They've dropped nine percent since 2000.

MORE: Health officials: Prison program helps lower overdose deaths

Cox Media Group