Magic Bullets - Chemistry vs. Cancer

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    See It Now Part 2
    Interpreting Pie Charts

    Developments in cancer chemotherapy have accelerated since the 1960s. Much of the work of Gertrude Elion and George Hitchings took place in the 1960s and 1970s. New cancer drugs began to prolong the lifespan of people diagnosed with cancer. This activity looks at the effect of these new drugs on deaths due to cancer.

    These pie charts show the leading causes of death in the United States in 1973 and 1996. Look carefully at the charts and answer the questions below. In answering the questions, do not include the category labeled "other causes".

    'Mmm...pie...'

    1. Using the 1973 chart, list in order the top four causes of death.

       

    2. Using the 1996 chart, list the top four causes of death.

       

    3. Deaths from which cause decreased the most between 1973 and 1996?

       

    4. Deaths from which cause increased the most between 1973 and 1996?

       

    5. What are some possible reasons for the increase in cancer deaths between 1973 and 1996?

    Interpreting Pie Charts Worksheet

    For a printable version of the See it Now Part 2 worksheet, click here.

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