Epidemiology of Cancer and Aging

Abstract

Aging is related to changes (mostly negative) in multiple domains (physical, cognitive, emotional, social and economic) that influence the status and wellbeing of older adults. Age is the major risk factor for many cancers and older adults make up the largest segment of the cancer population. The increase in risk of cancer with age, projected growth in older populations and increasing cancer survivorship lead to the expectation that the number of older cancer survivors will increase in the years ahead. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer in older adults is complicated by the heterogeneity of the older populations (chronological age does not correlate well with physiological age in the later years), the pathophysiologic differences in older cancer patients compared to younger ones, and the lack of randomized controlled trial data on older adults. In addition, cancer in older populations results in long-term and late physical and psychosocial effects that differ from those found in younger populations. The continued epidemiologic study of cancer, aging and their interaction in older adults must take these issues into account if it is to contribute significantly to our understanding of the consequences of increased cancer incidence with longer life spans in aging populations worldwide.