[Epidemiological characteristics of cancer mortality in the elderly in Qidong, 1972-2021].

Objective: To analysis the prevalence characteristics of cancer mortality among the elderly in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province, from 1972 to 2021, and to provide scientific basis for the development of precise prevention and control strategies for cancer in the elderly. Methods: Data of cancers were obtained from Qidong Cancer Registry, a descriptive study method was used to calculate the crude mortality rate (CMR) of cancer among the elderly (≥60 years old). The China age-standardized rate (ASR-C) was calculated using the age structure of the Chinese population in 2000, and world age-standardized rate (ASR-W) was calculated using Segi's world standard population. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed using Joinpoint 4.9.1.0 software to calculate the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) of mortality. Results: From 1972 to 2021, there were 74 723 cancer deaths in the elderly in Qidong, with CMR of 752.08/10⁵, ASR-C of 666.03/10⁵ (994.22/10⁵ for males and 470.29/10⁵ for females) and ASR-W of 681.11/10⁵. The ASR-C showed little fluctuation before 2000, increased rapidly from 2001 to 2011, and then decreased from 2011 to 2021. From 2017 to 2021, the CMR was 791.01/10⁵, the ASR-C was 689.80/10⁵ (956.77/10⁵ for males and 469.98/10⁵ for females), and the ASR-W was 657.53 /10⁵. The CMR for the 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, and 80+ age groups from 2012 to 2021 were 385.42/10⁵ 505.51/10⁵, 721.64/10⁵, 1 213.28/10⁵, and 1 705.32/10⁵, respectively. The CMR of elderly under 75 years old were lower from 2012 to 2021 than in other periods, while those of elderly people aged more than 75 years were higher from 2012 to 2021 than in other periods. The AAPC for ASR-C of all cancers over the 50 years was 0.22%, with APC of -1.59% in 2008-2021 (both P＜0.05). Over the 50 years, the top five cancers in terms of mortality were lung cancer, gastric cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, and esophageal cancer. Their AAPCs of ASR-C were 1.61%, -2.36%, -0.10%, 1.44%, and -2.03%, respectively. The increasing trends of mortality rates for lung cancer and colorectal cancer and the decreasing trends for gastric cancer and esophageal cancer were statistically significant (P＜0.05). Conclusions: The mortality of cancers among elderly is at a high level in Qidong. The overall mortality since 2008 have shown a decreasing trend, and the prevention and control of some cancers have been effective.