While male and female mortality rates from cerebrovascular disease, such as strokes, have dropped significantly they have been the second highest in Western Europe for the last 55 years, with only Portugal worse.

BBC: Scottish mortality rate 'among highest in Western Europe'

Female death rates from chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis, have been the highest in Western Europe for more than a decade.

BBC: Scottish mortality rate 'among highest in Western Europe'

Patricia Dunn, the former chairwoman of Hewlett Packard , is one of the most well-known female executives forced to cope with a serious disease on the job.

FORBES: When Illness Strikes

The more prevalent causes of death for male and female smokers were lung cancer and other respiratory diseases followed by heart disease, stroke, and vascular disease.

FORBES: The Smoking Gun: Women Catch Up To Men On Lung Cancer Risk