Home > Geriatrics > Why is Cancer More Common in the Elderly? Get the Flash Player to see this player. Rate: (Click the stars to rate) Published on Oct 03, 2008 by ESchneider, Views: 6455 Cancer occurs in people of all age, but is much more common as we get older. Why is it that people are more prone to cancer as they age? Dr. Edward Schneider, a noted geriatric physician from USC, discusses the reason why the elderly are more prone to cancer.