Centenarians 'outliving diseases of old age'

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Centenarians are more likely to die of pneumonia than conditions such as cancer and heart disease


Centenarians have found a way to beat the common diseases of old age, such as cancer and heart disease, research suggests.

The study by King's College London found they were more likely to die of infections such as pneumonia, unlike younger groups of elderly people.

Researchers said 28% of 100- to 115-year-olds died of "old age" and a fifth of pneumonia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27682376

Cancer claimed the lives of fewer than 5% and heart disease fewer than 9%.

The study was based on an analysis of 36,000 death certificates.

By comparison, these diseases were the most common reasons for death among the 80- to 84-year-old age group, with cancer responsible for 25% of deaths and heart disease nearly a fifth.