Cancer and aging in America - Demographic and epidemiologic perspectives

Data on cancer that emphasize the impact of this disease on older persons i n the context of an expanding aging population in the United States is desc ribed using population-based statistics on incidence and mortality. Sixty p ercent of all incident cancers and 70% of all cancer mortality occur in peo ple 65 years and older. A combined cancer and aging epiemiologic perspectiv e of the cancer burden for the elderly is given, providing a backdrop for t he 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 re search. A discussion on pertinent clinical issues and questions that should be considered in treatment of cancer in the elderly is also provided.