This  subject has been discussed several times before.  The Govt. has formally 'decried'  any form of discrimination on the basis of just chronological age  and it  is now unlawful to do that.<p>

 

Another  recent document  produced by the Macmillan Cancer Support Group  has reported   widespread   ageist  discrimination in cancer care. There is growing body of evidence that older patients are less likely to receive the most 'evidence -based'  clinically effective   treatment for their cancer.  Subsequently the overall prognosis of cancer in old age , unlike among the younger people,   is not improving . <p>

 

Although the overall  detection  rate for all forms of cancer  has improved significantly ,  that is  not the case among older people.  It is  fairly common  for  an octogenerian  not to be fully investigated for a suspected cancer and/or to be referred to an appropriate specialist unit.  Even when referred , many receive only suboptimal  treatment without any 'real' beneficial outcome! <p>

 

To mininise any such discriminatory practice , an objective  comprehensive  assessment of the victim  covering  all aspects of the scenario  must be made ; and this can only be done   if the  'health professional' were  'properly'  and 'credibly' trained in the care of older people.  Just  as the ability to remove tonsils from the throat  of  a child doesn't make one a ''child - specialist'',  similarly  seeing  lots of pensioners in the surgery or in a hospital ward, doesn't make one 'an expert in old age'!!!!  <p>

AND WE ARE  SEEING  THE RESULTS !!!!