Report: Cancer survivorship to skyrocket in next 10 years
Over the next decade, the population of cancer survivors over 65 years of age will increase by approximately 42 percent, according to a report published in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
“We can expect a dramatic increase in the number of older adults who are diagnosed with or carry a history of cancer,” Julia H. Rowland, PhD, director of the office of cancer survivorship in the division of cancer control and population sciences at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), said in a statement. “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 analyzed data from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program. They found that in 1971, the year the National Cancer Act was signed, the survivor population was approximately 3 million, which increased to nearly 12 million in 2008, the last year data are available.
In 2008, 60 percent of the cancer survivors were at least 65 years old. The NCI projected this number will increase to 63 percent by 2020.
The most common diagnoses among cancer survivors includes: female breast cancer (22 percent), prostate cancer (20 percent) and colorectal cancer (9 percent). Researchers attributed high survival to improved detection and screening. Lung cancer, which is by far the most diagnosed cancer in men and women, is much lower in the survivor population at just 3 percent.
Rowland said the healthcare community needs to prepare for the coming wave of cancer survivors who will present some unique challenges. As a population, the number of oncologists and geriatric specialists is decreasing just as the need for these specialists is increasing.
Rowland and colleagues pointed to the key role that technology can play in addressing pending challenges. “New technologies could allow for better communication and follow-up.”
“We can expect a dramatic increase in the number of older adults who are diagnosed with or carry a history of cancer,” Julia H. Rowland, PhD, director of the office of cancer survivorship in the division of cancer control and population sciences at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), said in a statement. “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 analyzed data from the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program. They found that in 1971, the year the National Cancer Act was signed, the survivor population was approximately 3 million, which increased to nearly 12 million in 2008, the last year data are available.
In 2008, 60 percent of the cancer survivors were at least 65 years old. The NCI projected this number will increase to 63 percent by 2020.
The most common diagnoses among cancer survivors includes: female breast cancer (22 percent), prostate cancer (20 percent) and colorectal cancer (9 percent). Researchers attributed high survival to improved detection and screening. Lung cancer, which is by far the most diagnosed cancer in men and women, is much lower in the survivor population at just 3 percent.
Rowland said the healthcare community needs to prepare for the coming wave of cancer survivors who will present some unique challenges. As a population, the number of oncologists and geriatric specialists is decreasing just as the need for these specialists is increasing.
Rowland and colleagues pointed to the key role that technology can play in addressing pending challenges. “New technologies could allow for better communication and follow-up.”