Trends in cancer mortality in the elderly in Japan, 1970-2007

The primary objective of this study is to describe cancer mortality rates and trends among Japanese elderly aged 65-84 years for the period 1970-2007.

Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated by the direct method using age-specific mortality rates at 5-year age intervals and weights based on the age distribution of the standard world population. The joinpoint regression model was used to describe changes in trends.

For all cancers combined, the mortality rate at age 65-84 years during 2000-2007 was 1145.13 (per 100,000 population) for men and 461.93 (per 100,000) for women. Mortality rates have declined in the past 10 years in both sexes. These favorable trends were driven largely by decreases in mortality for three leading cancers in the elderly men [lung, stomach and colorectal cancer (CRC)] and for two of the three most common cancers in the elderly women (stomach and CRC), combined with a leveling off of death rate from lung cancer in women.

The population-based data in the current study underscore the importance of cancer research and prevention for the older segment in Japan to reduce the additional cancer burden among the growing number of elderly persons.