A high white blood cell count, is a widely used sign of an inflammation is now also a clue to cancer death. A study of 3,000 older Australians with an elevated white blood cell count were found more likely to die of cancer. This article can be found in the Archives of Internal Medicine. For individuals who smoke or have chronic or acute infections will often have a high white blood cell count. Individuals with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes, will also have an elevated WBC and have and increased mortality rate from cancer. It is not determined if a high WBC can predict cancer. The study suggests the development of cancer could be decreased by the use of aspirin. Aspirin which is usually a maintance for those at risk of heart disease. It is becoming apparent to me how tangled and intricate our bodies are, with each system relying and depending on the other one.