Cancer remained the leading cause of death in Taiwan for the 44th consecutive year in 2025, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). While the overall standardized mortality rates for the top 10 cancers generally declined, the ministry highlighted a critical exception: mortality rates for ovarian, lung, and pancreatic cancers have increased.
Lu Shu-chun, Director of the MOHW Department of Statistics, confirmed that these three specific cancers are diverging from the broader downward trend in cancer-related mortality. Despite this, the overall ranking of the top 10 cancer-related causes of death remained unchanged from the previous year, with lung, liver, and colorectal cancers continuing to occupy the top three positions. Ovarian cancer remains among the top 10 deadliest forms of the disease in the region.
The ministry’s report noted that while the crude death rate in Taiwan decreased by 0.6 percent compared to 2024, the persistence of specific cancer mortality increases underscores ongoing public health challenges. The MOHW continues to monitor these trends as part of its annual assessment of the nation’s health landscape.