Cancer incidence and mortality among older adults in Asia: Estimates for 2022 and projections to 2050

The acceleration of population ageing across Asia is expected to increase the cancer burden, yet comprehensive region-wide evidence among older adults remains limited. Using GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates, we quantified cancer incidence and mortality (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) among adults aged ≥ 60 years in 48 Asian countries and five United Nations subregions, with China and India analysed separately, and projected the burden to 2050. In 2022, an estimated 5.7 million new cancer cases and 3.8 million cancer deaths occurred among older adults in Asia, accounting for 59% of all cancer cases and 70% of cancer deaths in the region. Lung, colorectal, stomach, liver, and breast cancers comprised over half of new cases, while lung, colorectal, liver, stomach, and oesophageal cancers were the leading causes of cancer death. Substantial variation was observed across countries and subregions, with higher incidence and mortality among males. Eastern Asia exhibited the highest age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, whereas Southern Asia showed lower rates, likely reflecting both true differences and underdiagnosis. India displayed a distinct epidemiologic profile, with a high burden of breast, oral, cervical, and lung cancers. Projections based on demographic change alone indicate that by 2050, cancer cases and deaths among older adults in Asia will more than double, with the steepest increases in Southern and Western Asia. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen cancer prevention, early detection, equitable access to diagnosis and treatment, geriatric oncology capacity, and palliative care to address the rapidly growing and uneven cancer burden among older adults in Asia.