When Cancer Grows Old: Assessing the Socio-economic Burden of Cancer and Ageing and the Policies Required, a new report released in February 2022, examines the growing socioeconomic impact of cancer amid the global mega-trend of aging and makes recommendations for policies needed to more effectively address the growing burden. With an eleven-fold increased risk of cancer for those age 65 and older, the economic impact of cancer is expected to grow in lockstep with population aging, from 1 to 2% of GDP in 2020 to around 3% by 2040.

The report specifically identifies three areas for improvement in National Cancer Control Plans:

1. insufficient use of geriatric assessments in clinical practice,
2. lack of geriatric training among oncologists, and
3. under-representation of older patients in cancer trials.

When Cancer Grows Old: Assessing the Socio-economic Burden of Cancer and Ageing and the Policies Required was created by KPMG and funded by GCOA member Sanofi.