Cancer mortality, aging, and patterns of comorbidity in the United States: 1968 to 1986
Article Abstract:
Cancer is a major cause of illness and death in the United States, particularly in the elderly. It is more than five times as likely to cause death in people over age 65 as in the general population. Many elderly people also have some type of cancer but die from another cause; in these cases cancer may have contributed to the death. As morbidity and mortality from other major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases decrease, people are living longer. Cancer is expected to increasingly become a cause of death or an associated factor in the death of the elderly. This study examined the changes in the incidence of cancer in the general population between the years 1968 to 1986. Death certificates listing cancer as either the cause of death or as a contributing factor were examined. Results showed that in 1968 for persons aged 45 to 54, the ratio of death certificates listing unspecified cancers as present to those listing them as the underlying cause of death (ratio of total mentions, or TM, to underlying cause, or UC) was 8.74, and for those aged 85 to 94 it was 6.03. In 1986, the ratios declined to 4.72 and 3.86 respectively. This decrease would indicate that specific diagnosis of cancer types and cancer as cause of death increased during this time period. The incidence of cancer as being present at the time of death, but not as the main cause of death, was higher in the elderly and was higher for cancers that either were of the type that are slow growing or that are highly treatable. TM to UC ratios also increased with age, but to a lesser extent for the more lethal types of cancer. The highest ratios occurred in the oldest-old population. These results indicate that as morbidity and death rates for other diseases decrease and life expectancies increase, morbidity and mortality for cancer in the elderly population should increase. They also indicate that cancers may behave differently in the elderly than in the younger population. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1991
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Estimates of change in chronic disability and institutional incidence and prevalence rates in the U.S. elderly population from the 1982, 1984, and 1989 National Long Term Care Survey
Article Abstract:
While the elderly are becoming a larger percentage of overall US population, the 1982-89 National Long Term Care Surveys indicate that chronic disability, disability-related mortality and institutionalization are decreasing for this group. The trend held for each of three age groupings, including adjustment for mortality. The different factors contributing to this change, and the variation depending on type of disability, are discussed. Chronic disability rates are expected to continue to decrease, but overall health care needs will probably increase.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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Demographics (1950-1987) of breast cancer in birth cohorts of older women
Article Abstract:
A model of breast cancer incidence and mortality rates for 15 birth cohorts studied for 38 years was measured and the implications of reducing the number of cases diagnosed in its advanced stages was examined. Results revealed that risk factors vary from one cohort to another as disease becomes advanced although a small difference in early risk for the disease was noted. This supports previous findings that early disease is hereditary and that late disease is primarily influenced by risk factors associated with breast cancer.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1992
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- Abstracts: Differences in mortality of black and white patients enrolled in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Abstracts: The training of Geriatricians in the United States: three decades of progress
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