Clinical research in the older cancer patient

Abstract

The opportunities for conducting focused research in older patients with cancer continue to increase and reflect the increasing awareness of the incidence of cancer in older persons. As the population ages, cancer will become more and more a problem of the elderly. Despite the magnitude of this problem, exploration of the unique problems associated with cancer in the aging has only begun. Economic issues, access to care, and the frequency of other serious illness in older patients often make screening and treatment of malignancy in older patients a great challenge. Oncologists and geriatricians must work together to guarantee that appropriate funding is made available for cancer research in the elderly population.