Geriatrics & Aging

Geriatric Oncology: Challenges & Barriers

Population aging brings about important changes on many levels. From antiquity to his 19th century, human life expectancy doubled from the 20 to 40 years. However, this life expectancy rapidly doubled from his 19th century to his 20th century to her 80, and increased steadily in the 21st century. This fact poses important socioeconomic and health challenges. Aging brings greater care needs associated with primary aging (body changes due to aging) and secondary aging (risks increase with age). Undoubtedly, cancer risk increases exponentially with age. About 60% of cancers occur in people over the age of 65. Additionally, approximately 70% of cancer deaths occur at this stage. Cancer is therefore a disease of aging. Given the increasing incidence of cancer and quality of life in the elderly population, special approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and survival of elderly cancer patients are needed.