Global cancer incidence in older adults, 2012 and 2035: A population‐based study

Abstract

Population ageing has substantially contributed to the rising number of new cancer cases worldwide. We document cancer incidence patterns in 2012 among older adults globally, and examine the changing magnitude of cancer in this age group over the next decades. Using GLOBOCAN 2012 data, we presented the number and proportion of new cancer cases, and the truncated age-standardised incidence rates among adults aged 65 years and older for all cancer sites combined and for the five most common cancer sites by world region. We calculated the incidence in 2035 by applying population projections, assuming no changes in rates. In 2012, 6.7 million new cancer cases (47.5% of all cancers) were diagnosed among older adults worldwide, with marked regional disparities. Nearly 48% of these cases occurred in less developed regions. Lung, colorectal, prostate, stomach and breast cancers represented 55% of the global incidence, yet distinct regional patterns were observed. We predict 14 million new cancer cases by 2035, representing almost 60% of the global cancer incidence. The largest relative increase in incidence is predicted in the Middle East and Northern Africa (+157%), and in China (+155%). Less developed regions will see an increase of new cases by 144%, compared to 54% in more developed regions. The expected increase in cancer incidence at older ages will have substantial economic and social impacts globally, posing considerable and unique challenge to healthcare systems in every world region, especially in those with limited resources and weaker health systems.

Cancer incidence in older adults in selected regions of sub‐Saharan Africa, 2008–2012

“…a lack of skilled staff, poor access to surgery, poor infrastructure—most sub‐Saharan African countries have no geriatricians, physicians are not sufficiently trained in geriatrics, and geriatric oncology is not developed in sub‐Saharan Africa . The considerable rise in number of older adults with cancer expected in next decades will challenge the acute disease‐centered health systems in sub‐Saharan African countries, which will have to adapt rapidly to address the problem.…”

“…38 However, although significant gains in palliative care development have been made in Africa, these services are still not available in most sub-Saharan African countries. 38 Given the expected rise in the number of older patients with cancer in the region, 37 encouraging the development of palliative care is essential through the provision of training to professional staff and better access to palliative medications. 39 Our study represents the most comprehensive picture of the cancer burden in older adults in sub-Saharan Africa, using the high quality incidence data available within the region.…”

Primary prevention: a need for concerted action

“…Roughly, life expectancy in most of Europe has increased by about 5% over the past 15 years. Almost 11% of women and 7.5% of men were already 65 years or older in 2016 (https://www.populationpyramid.net/europe/ 2016/); those are the ages where about half of all the cancers in Europe occur (Pilleron et al, 2018).…”

Impact of self‐perception of aging on mortality of older patients in oncology

“…However, few studies have analyzed the impact of SPA on health within a population affected by a disease. Among older people, an important health issue concerns oncology: indeed, it is estimated that by 2035, patients over 65 years of age will represent 60% of newly diagnosed cancers in the world . Therefore, studying SPA (and its effects) in this particular population is of great importance: anticipating older cancer patients with higher risks of more negative outcomes is a major issue and could lead to improve medical effectiveness.…”

“…Among older people, an important health issue concerns oncology: indeed, it is estimated that by 2035, patients over 65 years of age will represent 60% of newly diagnosed cancers in the world. 19 Therefore, studying SPA (and its effects) in this particular population is of great importance: anticipating older cancer patients with higher risks of more negative outcomes is a major issue and could lead to improve medical effectiveness. It is all the more important as we know that SPA is more negative in oncological context: indeed, a recent study among 1140 participants has observed that individuals with cancer have a more negative SPA than people without cancer.…”