Where cancer hits hardest in and around Seattle

At 150 deaths a year per 100,000 residents, King County’s cancer death rate is better than the national average. That’s little solace, though, to the 3,000-or-so residents who fall annually to the area’s leading killer. Take a look at how King County communities compare when it comes to cancer deaths. less At 150 deaths a year per 100,000 residents, King County’s cancer death rate is better than the national average. That’s little solace, though, to the 3,000-or-so residents who fall annually to the area’s ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close Where cancer hits hardest in and around Seattle 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

Nothing kills quite like cancer.

In King County, as in Washington state, cancer is the leading cause of death. Nationally, cancer is edged out by heart disease, which is a close second in Washington.

Check out the slideshow above for a look at how King County communities compare when it comes to cancer death rates. The numbers included come from a Public Health – Seattle & King County review of state Department of Health reports.

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The death toll is not evenly spread in the Seattle area. Some communities – including several of the region’s most affluent spots – see cancer death rates well below the King County average, while the rate is far higher in other communities.

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Statistics collected by Public Health – Seattle & King County show that cancer death rates are far, far higher among residents over 65 years old.

Seattlepi.com reporter Levi Pulkkinen can be reached at 206-448-8348 or levipulkkinen@seattlepi.com. Follow Levi on Twitter at twitter.com/levipulk.