Number of Elderly Diagnosed With Cancer Set to Rocket by 80% in Less Than 20 Years
The number of older people diagnosed with cancer every year could rise by up to 80 percent to nearly a quarter of a million by 2035, according to new figures from
Every year around 130,000 people aged 75 and over in the
Despite cancer survival doubling over the last 40 years, it's still lower among older people who are more likely to be diagnosed in an emergency and less likely to receive curative treatment.
This highlights the urgent need for older patients, who are more likely to have multiple health conditions or need help from social care, to be given better support.
In its report Advancing Care, Advancing Years: Improving cancer treatment and care for an ageing population published today (Thursday 21 June),
This includes ensuring staff have enough time to spend caring for patients, better assessments to help make the right decisions about the best treatments, and better evidence of how medication affects older patients.
"It's also highly likely that this group will be the hardest hit by wider pressures facing the
"For 70 years, the
"Some older people with cancer might not be fit enough to have surgery and go through lengthy periods of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but as no two patients are the same, there will be others who are.
"That's why it's so important staff are well trained and resourced so they can assess older people properly and ensure they receive the right treatment, care and support specific to their individual needs."
Footnote:
* Calculated from Smittenaar CR et al. Cancer Incidence and Mortality Projections in the
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