Cancer
Cancer is a diverse group of diseases in which some of the body’s cells can become defective, multiply out of control, and damage tissues around them.
- In 2014, people aged 65 and over were estimated to account for half (58%) of new cancer cases diagnosed (74,393 new cases) [3]
- In 2015, people aged 65 and over accounted for three-quarters (76%) of cancer related deaths (35,153) [3].
Between 2014-16, lung cancer was the most common cause of death from cancer for people aged 65 and over , followed by colorectal, unknown cancers, prostate, pancreatic and breast cancer [1].
The most common type of cancer causing death varies with sex.
Cancer in older men
In 2014–16, the most common types of cancer causing death in older men were lung cancer (around 11,700 deaths), prostate cancer (9,900 deaths) and colorectal cancer (nearly 4,500 deaths) [1]. Deaths from the 6 most common cancers causing death in older men accounted for 19% (35,300) of all deaths of men aged 65 and over (Figure 5).
Cancer in older women
In 2014–16, the most common types of cancer causing death in older women were lung cancer (around 7,500 deaths), breast cancer (5,500 deaths) and unknown or ill-defined cancer (4,800 deaths) [1]. Deaths from the 6 most common cancers causing deaths in older women accounted for 14% (27,100) of all deaths of women aged 65 and over (Figure 5).