Fifteen-year trends in cancer incidence and mortality among older adults aged 65 years and older in Martinique, a Caribbean population-based registry study, 2008–2022

Prostate, breast, stomach, colon-rectum, lung, and hematologic cancers represent a regional public health burden among older adults in the Caribbean. We described 15-year trends in cancer incidence and mortality among older adults in Martinique. We conducted a population-based cohort study (2008-2022) from the population-based cancer registry of Martinique. Age-Standardized Incidence and Mortality Rates (ASIR and ASMR) were estimated using the Segi/Doll world standard population and Annual Average Percent Change (AAPC) with 95% confidence interval in patients ≥ 65 years, by tumor site and sex. We recorded 15,400 cancer cases over the entire study period (2008-2022), with 64.4% diagnosed in males. Overall ASIR remained broadly stable: in men, 2,257.8 per 100,000 (95% CI: 2,172.6-2,342.9) in 2008-2012 and 2,053.1 (95% CI: 1,982.8-2,230.4) in 2018-2022; in women, 847.8 (95% CI: 801.8-893.8) in 2008-2012 and 862.1 (95% CI: 821.2-902.9) in 2018-2022. Prostate cancer ASIR decreased from 1,355.5 per 100,000 (95% CI: 1,288.6-1,422.4) in 2008-2012 to 1,303.7 (95% CI: 1,242.0-1,365.5) in 2013-2017, and then significantly to 1,102.2 (95% CI: 1,049.6-1,154.9) in 2018-2022.Prostate cancer ASMR also declined from 293.50 per 100,000 (95% CI: 263.30-323.70) in 2008-2012 to 225.80 (95% CI: 205.00-246.50) in 2018-2022. Women breast cancer ASIR increased significantly from 177.3 per 100,000 (95% CI: 155.4-199.2) in 2008-2012 to 198.0 (95% CI: 176.5-219.6) in 2013-2017 and to 230.7 (95% CI: 208.9-252.5) in 2018-2022. Male lung and bronchial cancer incidence showed a significant AAPC decrease of -12.5% (95% CI: -23.3 to -0.13) in 2018-2022. Colorectal cancer ASMR in women remained stable: 68.2 per 100,000 (95% CI: 55.1-81.3) in 2008-2012, 63.8 (95% CI: 53.0-74.6) in 2013-2017, and 71.4 (95% CI: 60.3-82.5) in 2018-2022, and male stomach cancer AAPC decreased significantly during 2018-2022: -11.5% (95% CI: -20.1 to -1.94). Between 2008 and 2022, cancer incidence among older adults in Martinique showed decreasing prostate and lung cancer but increasing breast cancer, consistent with Caribbean and global trends. These patterns reflect screening practices, treatment advances, and COVID-19 disruptions. Future research should prioritize age-tailored cancer management and uninterrupted treatment access.