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 !!!!
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