Cancer and Age: General Considerations

摘要

Age is a risk factor for most cancers (Fig. 1). By 2000, 50% of all malignancies occurred in the 12% of the population 65 and older; by 2030 one may expect 70% of all neoplasms in the older population. Aging and carcinogenesis are connected through at least 3 mechanisms: Duration of carcinogenesis, increased susceptibility of older tissues to environmental carcinogens, and changes in body environment (chronic inflammation, increased resistance to insulin).