Cancer in older persons in Scotland.

Background: The average age in many populations in increasing. As the risk of most epithelial cancers increases with age, numbers of people with cancer can also be expected to grow.
Methods: Incidence data from the Scottish Cancer Registry for the period 1981-1990 were used to examine the size of the cancer burden in those aged 75 years and over. The future burden of cancer in Scotland was estimated by applying current age specific rates to population projections. Cancer survival in older cancer patients in Scotland was examined and comparisons made with other selected countries. The place of treatment of people under and over 75 in Scotland was investigated.
Results: Approximately 30% of the total cancer burden in Scotland and other countries occurs in the elderly. The total number of incident cases in Scotland in those aged 75 and over is estimated to rise by approximately 60% in males and 20% in females by 2029. A decline in survival is seen with increasing age. Older people with cancer in Scotland are less likely to be treated outwit their area of residence and are more likely to be admitted to institutions which admit small numbers of patients.
Conclusions: Cancer in older persons contributes a significant proportion of the overall cancer burden. The burden of cancer in the elderly is likely to grow. More work needs to be done characterising cancer and its treatment in older persons.