Life in the metropolis faces new health threats

Beijing - Cancer has become the leading killer of Beijingers, with the incidence of chronic diseases rising sharply.

This is in contrast to the situation nationwide where cerebrovascular disease remains the No 1 cause of death, according to statistics from the Beijing 2010 Health White Paper.

"The situation in the capital is more in line with a global trend where cancer becomes the leading cause of death in nations that have experienced considerable economic development," said Gu Jin, professor of Peking University School of Oncology.