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Cancer in the oldest old.
Stacy L Andersen1, Dellara F Terry, Marsha A Wilcox
1The New England Centenarian Study, Geriatrics Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, 88 East Newton Street, Robinson 2, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development
|December 29, 2004
Summary
Centenarians often delay or escape fatal diseases. This study found that cancer diagnoses in centenarians occur significantly later than in the general population, suggesting a link between delayed cancer onset and exceptional longevity.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oncology
- Longevity research
Background:
- Centenarians frequently escape age-related diseases like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
- Anecdotal evidence suggests some centenarians survive aggressive cancers.
- Understanding cancer's role in exceptional longevity requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cancer and exceptional longevity.
- To quantify the prevalence and age of cancer diagnosis in centenarians.
Main Methods:
- Medical record review and interviews were conducted.
- 1,143 centenarians were studied.
- Data collected included cancer diagnosis age, lifetime cancer prevalence, tobacco use, and family history.
Main Results:
- 20% of females and 22% of males had a history of non-skin cancer.
- Common cancers included prostate, breast, and colon.
- Average age of cancer diagnosis was 80.5 years, significantly later than the general population's 63.2 years.
Conclusions:
- Cancer diagnosis is delayed in individuals who live to 100.
- Certain cancers appear rare in centenarians, potentially being incompatible with extreme old age.
- Delayed cancer onset may be a factor in exceptional longevity.