A rare form of cancer cost former “LA Law” star Larry Drake his life, according to the actor’s death certificate. The 66-year-old actor, who played Benny Stulwicz in the long-running TV legal drama, died last month after losing his battle with a string of health issues.

The death certificate claimed he had been diagnosed with polycythemia vera – a rare form of cancer related to an overproduction of red blood cells in the bone marrow. The medical examiner also listed cardiac arrest, hypertension, and morbid obesity as causes of death. Drake’s body was found in his Hollywood apartment by a friend.

Did You Know?

• There are more than 100 types of cancers; any part of the body can be affected.
• About 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• Worldwide, the 5 most common types of cancer that kill men are (in order of frequency): lung, stomach, liver, colorectal and oesophagus.
• Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of cancer in the world causing 22% of cancer deaths.
• One fifth of all cancers worldwide are caused by a chronic infection, for example human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer and hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver cancer.
• More than 30% of cancer could be prevented, mainly by not using tobacco, having a healthy diet, being physically active and moderating the use of alcohol. In developing countries up to 20% of cancer deaths could be prevented by immunization against the infection of HBV and HPV.