Cancer in the elderly in Slovakia

The present publication focuses on the analysis of the development of basic epidemiological indicators of the most frequently occurring cancers in elderly population in Slovakia.

The proportion of the elderly in cancer incidence and mortality in Slovakia is higher than that of younger patients (0-64 years) and is increasing. The most frequently diagnosed cancers include bronchus and lung cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer in females and prostate cancer in males. The average age of the whole population at diagnosis and at death for all diagnoses (except prostate cancer) in both males and females increases over the study period. The average age at diagnosis of prostate cancer is decreasing, while the average age at death is increasing. The age-standardized rate (world) (ASR-W) incidence and mortality rates for lung cancer in elderly males are decreasing, whereas they are increasing in females. ASR-W incidence of colorectal cancer is stable in elderly males but shows an increasing trend in females. Mortality from colorectal cancer is decreasing in both males and females. ASR-W incidence and mortality for prostate cancer in elderly males are decreasing. ASR-W incidence of breast cancer shows an increasing trend in elderly females, while the mortality rate is decreasing insignificantly.

The growing cancer burden in the elderly will place an increasing burden on the health care system, so focus on prevention and early cancer diagnosis will be necessary.