A CDC based analysis of anal cancer mortality disparities in US adults aged ≥65 years.

3 Background: Anal cancer rates have climbed markedly in recent decades, with parallel rises in incidence and mortality. We examined disparities in mortality trends by sex, race, census region, and urbanization among U.S. adults aged ≥65 years. Methods: Mortality data from CDC WONDER (1999-2023) were analyzed for anal cancer (ICD-10 C21) as underlying cause of death. We calculated age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 1,000,000. joinpoint regression estimated annual percentage changes (APCs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 15,690 deaths were recorded; the overall AAMR rose from 9.38 to 23.06. AAMRs rose in both sexes, higher in women from 10.9 to 27.7 than men from 7.1 to 17.3, with women showing a steeper, significant post-2015 acceleration (APC 8.80; 95% CI 5.27-12.33; p