Global, Regional, and National Burden of Cancer in the Elderly Population, 1990–2021: Analysis of Data From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

ABSTRACT With the global aging trend intensifying, cancer presents a significant health challenge for the elderly. This study aims to assess the prevalence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALY) burden of cancer among individuals aged 60–94 worldwide from 1990 to 2021. Data on the prevalence, mortality, and DALY for 35 cancer types in the elderly were derived from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) spanning 1990 to 2021. The analysis was performed at four stratified levels: global, 21 GBD regions, 204 countries, and five sociodemographic index (SDI) categories. Age‐standardized rates for prevalence, mortality, and DALYs were computed. In 2021, the global elderly population (60–94 years) reported 691.13 × 10 5 [627.13 × 10 5 , 773.82 × 10 5 ] cancer cases and 71.86 × 10 5 [65.07 × 10 5 , 77.31 × 10 5 ] cancer deaths, with a DALY total of approximately 1394.17 × 10 5 [1281.20 × 10 5 , 1495.54 × 10 5 ]. Trends indicate a gradual increase in cancer cases and mortality over time, with DALY rates escalating with aging. Notably, high‐income North America exhibited the highest age‐standardized prevalence. High SDI regions faced the most substantial elderly cancer burden. The burden of cancer among the elderly exhibits considerable variability globally, with developed socioeconomic areas experiencing a greater prevalence than those in underdeveloped regions, necessitating urgent attention from health professionals.