The survey from the EU and OECD shows that far more Irish women are killed by cancer, strokes and heart attacks than in other countries.

The group recorded the fourth highest rate of cancer deaths, much worse than their male counterparts, who were in 22nd place.

Fatalities from lung cancer among Irish women are the fifth highest in the EU, while Irish men are way down the list in 20th place.

The research also shows the level of women dying from breast cancer in Ireland in 2010 was the same as 10 years previously.

The worrying study also shows more Irish women are killed by strokes than any other country in the group, apart from Greece.