Cancer is becoming more common among adults in Morocco. In 2024, nearly 14% of the population was aged 60 or older. About 8% were 65 or older. The rate of new cancer cases is roughly 120 to 137 per 100,000 people. Many patients arrive at the hospital with advanced disease. This means their cancer has already spread before treatment begins. This pattern is seen in some medical series.
A major problem is the lack of staff trained to care for older adults. The workforce capacity to handle these specific needs is currently limited. Most cancer services are concentrated in cities. Rural areas often lack access to these specialized oncology units. This creates a difficult situation for patients living outside major urban centers.
Geriatric assessments are tools that check a patient's overall health and ability to handle treatment. These checks are not yet consistently used in routine care. Without them, doctors may miss important risks or needs. Early integration of these assessments and better coordination between teams will be essential. This change is needed to ensure fair and age-appropriate care for everyone in an aging society.