Cancer in the Older Population

Advancing age comes bundled with increased cancer incidence and mortality. Indeed, the median age at diagnosis of all cancers combined is 69 years for men and 67 for women.3 Age-adjusted cancer incidence is 10 times higher in the 65+ population compared to their younger counterparts (2,151.2 versus 208.8/100,000 persons).2 Similarly, age-adjusted cancer mortality is 15-fold higher in the 65+ population (1,068.2 versus 67.3/100,000 persons). Figure 97.1 illustrates the proportions of the commonest cancers incidence and mortality in the 65+ population. As a result, although the total U.S. population is expected to grow by 9% between 1990 and 2010, the incidence of cancer is expected to increase by a disproportionate 32% in the same time frame. These trends are mirrored in countries across the globe.