“We can expect a dramatic increase in the number of older adults who are diagnosed with or carry a history of cancer,” said Julia Rowland, PhD, director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship in the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). “Cancer is largely a disease of aging, so we’re seeing yet another effect of the baby boom generation and we need to prepare for this increase.”
Rowland and colleagues evaluated data from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program. Their study showed that in 1971 the survivor population was approximately 3 million. This number expanded to almost 12 million in 2008.
Furthermore, in 2008, 60% of the cancer survivors were at least 65 years old, and the NCI predicts this number will rise to 63% by 2020.
According to Rowland, it is necessary that the healthcare community prepare for the future surge of older cancer survivors who will introduce some exceptional challenges. Unfortunately, just as the need for oncologists and geriatric specialists is increasing, their numbers are decreasing.
“We may be fortunate in that the aging population is healthier than in previous generations, and new technologies could allow for better communication and follow-up,” she said.
Source: AACR.