Developing Sustainable Cancer and Aging Programs

Abstract

Geriatric assessment (GA) has been shown to decrease toxicity from systemic therapy, improve completion of chemotherapy, and reduce hospitalizations in older adults with cancer. Given the aging of the cancer population, this has the potential to have a positive impact on the care of a large swath of patients seen. Despite endorsement by several international societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, uptake of GA has been low. Lack of knowledge, time, and resources has been cited as reasons for this. Although challenges to developing and implementing a cancer and aging program vary depending on the health care context, GA is adaptable to every health care context from low- to high-resource settings, as well as those in which geriatric oncology is a well-established or just emerging field. We provide an approach for clinicians and administrators to develop, implement, and sustain aging and cancer programs in a doable and sustainable way.

Changes in the Epidemiologic Pattern of Primary CNS Tumors in Response to the Aging Population: An Updated Nationwide Cancer Registry Data in the Republic of Korea

“…Active collaborative efforts in geriatric oncology are seen among research groups such as the Cancer and Aging Research Group 38 and the International Society of Geriatric Oncology. 39 Through numerous studies, [40][41][42] these groups underscore the significance of comprehensive geriatric assessments to accurately evaluate and raise awareness of geriatric conditions. They advocate for the inclusion of older patients with cancer in clinical trials, the development of treatment guidelines, the training of relevant medical personnel, and fostering collaboration among different professions to develop sustainable cancer treatment programs for the elderly.…”

Unveiling Psychological Perspectives on Aging Minds and Cancer: A Review

“…Implementing tailored educational programs for caregivers assumes significance, equipping them with the tools to comprehend and adeptly manage the cognitive and emotional changes accompanying cancer treatment in the elderly [31]. Additionally, initiatives that foster interaction among patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, such as support groups and community-driven endeavours, provide invaluable platforms for shared experiences and mutual learning [32].…”

“…A nuanced understanding of the dynamics and efficacy of support systems within geriatric oncology paves the way for tailored interventions. Ultimately, a robust and well-structured support system crafted specifically for elderly cancer patients and their caregivers significantly contributes to enhancing cognitive function, psychological well-being, and the overall quality of life within this specific demographic [32,33]. This holistic approach aims not only to address the challenges but also to foster resilience and improve the overall experience for the elderly navigating cancer treatments and their dedicated caregivers.…”

Aging-related biomarker discovery in the era of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer patients

“…As life expectancy has increased, geriatric oncology is becoming more critical due to the ever-increasing number of older cancer patients, which has so far concentrated mainly on traditional therapy tolerance (1)(2)(3). The correlation between incidence of malignancy and aging has been well established, and age-related immunological deterioration has been acknowledged for even longer (4,5).…”