Cancer's age wave (American Society of Clinical Oncologists annual meeting)

When assessing cancer screening and treatment needs, the advice is to consider a patient's physiologic condition, rather than age alone.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. July 16, 2007.

Reports from conferences important to physicians

Cancer is a disease of aging. More than 50% of all malignancies develop in people 65 and older. Since all indicators point to more people living longer -- one in every five is expected to be in this age category by 2030 -- concerns are being raised over which older patients should be treated and how aggressively.

An element of uncertainty also arises from the fact that these patients generally are excluded from clinical trials that test the safety and efficacy of therapies.

The challenges posed in treating this age group were discussed in several sessions at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists annual meeting in Chicago June 1-5.

An additional concern, this one triggered by the anticipated boom in elderly cancer patients, is that there will not be enough oncologists available to treat them. A work force report released by ASCO last March indicated that the demand for services would likely outpace the number of trained specialists.

An education session at the annual meeting was devoted to solutions to this pending work force shortage. One possibility discussed was the formation of patient care teams consisting of oncologists and primary care physicians, nurses and social workers. Another is a stronger emphasis on treatment by primary care physicians for patients in remission.

"It is essential that we look ahead and see where our future is going, to know how we can best meet the challenge," said Michael Goldstein, MD, an assistant clinical professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. The issue affects all who see patients with cancer, he said.