Cancer and aging in America - Demographic and epidemiologic perspectives

Data on cancer that emphasize the impact of this disease on older persons in the context of an expanding aging population in the United States is described using population-based statistics on incidence and mortality. Sixty percent of all incident cancers and 70% of all cancer mortality occur in people 65 years and older. A combined cancer and aging epiemiologic perspective of the cancer burden for the elderly is given, providing a backdrop for the articles in this issue. There is an urgent need for special attention to older persons as a target group for the integration of aging and cancer research. A discussion on pertinent clinical issues and questions that should be considered in treatment of cancer in the elderly is also provided.