In the UK about 150000 people above 70 are diagnosed each year with some form of cancer. Although the incidence among the elderly is about 50% of the total, with increasing numbers of older people, these nmbers are going to increase significantly.<p>
The survival rates in the old , however, lag far behind those in other comparable countries. The problems and challenges of cancer diagnoses and susequent treatment are widespread; a special 'elderly task force' has been initiated by the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer, to look into the whole area of cancer in old age.<p>
The Macmillan Cancer Support UK is currrently campaigning for a better and more 'fair' handling of cancer in old age and they deserve our congratulations and support. <p>
There are many reasonse for this apparent 'discrepancy' between the young and the old. Often the older patient refuses further tests and possible treatment for suspected cancer; more often, the doctors do not consider it 'useful' to spend resources on an old person with limited life span and thus patients are not 'referred' to the cancer specialists. <p>
The issues of coexisting morbidities, simultanous intake of other medications, general frailty, poor/inadequate social support/care availability needed for a full- blown anti cancer management regime etc etc are also very relevant. All that said , advanced chronological age per se , is never a contraindiacation for cancer treatment. Same managements produce similar results in anyone irrespective of their age. Older individuals , however, warrant a more thorough 'assessment' both medical and social prior to any therapy; hence it is adviseable for a joint geriatrician /oncology / surgery team to handle the older patients. That is the ideal way to achieve the best possible outcome. Macmillan group are preaching just that.
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