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.

This exercise gives students an opportunity to read data presented in chart form. Interpreting the data is secondary. Make copies of the pie charts for distribution to students in your class or prepare a transparency of the charts.

Answers:

(Note that "other causes" on the pie charts are ignored.)

1. Using the 1973 chart, list in order the top four causes of death.
   Answer: 1. heart disease
   2. cancer
   3. cerebrovascular
   4. accidents

2. Using the 1996 chart, list the top four causes of death.
   Answer: 1. heart disease
   2. cancer
   3. cerebrovascular
   4. accidents

3. Deaths from which cause decreased the most between 1973 and 1996?
   Answer: heart disease

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

5. What are some possible reasons for the increase in cancer deaths between 1973 and 1996?
   Answer: Several interpretations are possible. Deaths from some forms of cancer may have increased in absolute terms in the time period and so cancer's percent share increased. The increase in percent of deaths from cancer may be the result of the decrease in deaths from heart disease in the time period. You may want to allow some additional research or discussion of these possible interpretations.