Guide for Safe Cancer Treatment in an Elderly with Memory Loss.
When a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, the journey ahead can feel overwhelming. But what happens when that journey is complicated by memory loss? The video, “Cancer Treatment with Memory Loss: A Geriatric Oncologist’s Guide” offers a compassionate and insightful look into the complexities of geriatric oncology, providing a much-needed resource for patients and […]
Navigating Cancer in Older Adults: Insights from ASCO
Optimizing cancer care for older adults is a critical focus for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). As a leading authority, ASCO provides invaluable resources and guidelines for treating this diverse patient population. Understanding the unique challenges faced by seniors with cancer is paramount, as they often present with co-existing health conditions, or “comorbidities,” […]
Cancer & Cognitive Impairment; How to Approach a Double Jeopardy? John’s Story
John, an 82-year-old gentleman, recently faced a challenging health landscape: a new diagnosis of Cancer known as multiple myeloma at a time when he was already managing several age-related health issues, including Cognitive Impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease. His journey highlights the complex decision-making involved in cancer care for older adults and the crucial role […]
Cancer Treatment Decision Making When You Are a Senior; John’s Story
John, a 78-year-old gentleman, recently faced a significant medical challenge that many older adults encounter: navigating complex healthcare decisions, particularly when surgery is involved. His journey, centered around a pancreatic tumor and crucial discussions with a geriatric oncologist, sheds light on the personalized approach now available in cancer care. John’s diagnosis was a pancreatic neuroendocrine […]
If You are a Senior with Cancer; Don’t Focus on Your Age. Focus On this Instead, Just Like Eleanor
As a Geriatric Oncologist, I often hear people say, “age is just a number.” While that’s a wonderful sentiment for staying active and engaged in life, in medicine, age is a factor we can’t ignore, especially when it comes to cancer treatment. But what if I told you that a different set of numbers—a comprehensive […]
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 […]