| Theme | Gastrointestinal Disease in the Elderly Focusing on Minimally Invasive Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Trends in Incidence and Mortality of Digestive System Cancer in Elderly Japanese | |
| Publish Date | 2007/12 | |
| Author | Yoshikazu Nishino | Division of Epidemiology, Miyagi Cancer Center Research Institute |
| [ Summary ] | The annual number of new cases of and deaths from cancer of the digestive system in those 65 and older in Japan continues to increase. This increase is mainly due to an aging population. The age adjusted incidence rate for elderly patients, with stomach cancer has continued to decline. While rates of colorectal cancer and liver cancer have been increasing since 1975, the increase in colorectal cancer began to slow in the 1990s. Incidence rates for liver cancer have also been declining since 1995. Rates of biliary tract and pancreatic cancer are unchanged or have decreased recently. With an ever increasing elderly population in Japan, the number of new cases for cancer of the digestive system in the elderly population is expected to increase in the future. Improved medical treatment services and a greater focus on primary prevention are needed. | |