Show-Me State Times

There were 271 deaths from cancer reported in Missouri in the week ending August 14, making up 16.8 percent of total deaths by all causes in Missouri, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending August 14, there were 1,609 deaths in the state. 19.3 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 16.8 percent were from cancer and 37 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 6.8 percent of deaths were from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Studies show doctors and medical examiners may underreport Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related conditions as the underlying cause of death on death certificates, according to the National Institute on Aging.

Once infected, older adults with dementia are likely to develop a more severe and dangerous illness. The diseases which make an older adult more vulnerable to COVID-19 are age-associated chronic conditions, according to the Bright Focus Foundation.

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Heart disease	311	19.3
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	306	19
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	289	18
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	271	16.8
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	87	5.4
Cerebrovascular diseases	63	3.9
Alzheimer's disease	55	3.4
Diabetes mellitus	31	1.9
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	29	1.8
Influenza and pneumonia	15	0.9

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	110	6.8