National Cancer Institute and Geriatric Oncology
The National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences focuses on the intricate relationship between aging and cancer. Recognizing that aging is a primary risk factor for cancer, and that cancer and its treatments can accelerate aging, the NCI supports a wide range of research. This includes understanding the biological and physiological connections, […]
Championing Cancer Care for Older Adults: The International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG)
As the global population ages, the number of older adults diagnosed with cancer is steadily rising. Addressing the unique and complex needs of this growing patient demographic is the core mission of the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG).Founded in 2000, SIOG is a dynamic, multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing the science and practice of […]
A Geriatric Oncology Blueprint: Personalizing Cancer Treatment for Older Adults
Caring for older adults with cancer presents unique challenges that go far beyond chronological age. This paper from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) outlines a comprehensive, patient-centered geriatric oncology model designed to personalize treatment and improve outcomes. It argues that a patient’s “functional age”—their overall health and resilience—is a more critical factor than their […]
If You are Older than Age 75 and About to Undergo Cancer Surgery; Reduce Your Risk of Dying by Asking for this Simple Intervention.
For older adults, major cancer surgery presents a unique set of challenges where chronological age alone is a poor predictor of risk. A groundbreaking study investigated a more supportive way to care for these patients: a “team approach” called geriatric comanagement, where specialists in senior care work alongside surgeons throughout the surgical journey. This collaborative […]