Aging is linked to cancer, yet research on the elderly remains scant
A new study published in the *Journal of the American Geriatrics Society* has identified significant research gaps and proposed interventions to address aging-related health disparities in cancer outcomes among older adults. The review, led by Nikesha Gilmore, PhD, a member of Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester Medical Center, underscores the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to cancer care for this growing and increasingly diverse population.
The study reveals that the current cancer care system is ill-equipped to address the unique needs of older adults, with many clinical trials and cancer studies underrepresenting this demographic. This limits understanding of how aging interacts with cancer treatment efficacy and toxicity. Furthermore, there is a lack of comprehensive research exploring how factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and access to care influence cancer outcomes among older adults.
The review also highlights a gap in understanding the biological aging processes and psychosocial stressors that uniquely affect cancer progression and treatment response in older adults. Few interventions have been rigorously tested to reduce cancer-related health disparities in aging populations, and there is a need for more studies on the interplay between aging biology, cancer biology, and social determinants to identify novel targets for intervention.
To address these gaps, the paper proposes a multifaceted approach. This includes actively recruiting and retaining older adults, including those from minority and underserved populations, in cancer clinical trials. Integrating geriatric assessments into oncology care protocols to tailor treatments according to the functional and cognitive status of older patients is another key recommendation.
The review also advocates for policies that support equitable healthcare access, including transportation, insurance coverage, and caregiver support for older adults with cancer. Developing community-based programs and healthcare navigation support to improve access and adherence to cancer care among disadvantaged older adults is another proposed intervention.
In addition, the paper calls for training healthcare providers in cultural humility and implicit bias to improve communication and trust with diverse older patient populations. This is crucial to ensure that older adults from all backgrounds receive the best possible care.
The paper also stresses the need for policies and targeted interventions to improve health equity among older adults with cancer. The review team, which included Gilmore's mentor and senior co-author of the paper Supriya Mohile, MD, and members of the national Cancer and Aging Research Group, analysed articles published between 2016 and 2023.
Gilmore is also involved extensively in efforts to promote diversity and train the next generation at the medical center. She recently launched an immersive student enrichment program called EmREACh, in collaboration with a handful of peers at Wilmot and the CPC, to remove barriers for underrepresented undergraduate students interested in science and medicine.
The paper's findings have been lauded by Nancy Lundebjerg, CEO of the American Geriatrics Society, who commended the work for its timeliness and significance. The study serves as a call to action for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to work together to address the pressing needs of older adults with cancer and to strive for health equity in cancer care.
- The review points out that research gaps exist in understanding the unique health challenges and cancer outcomes among older adults, particularly those from minority and underserved populations.
- The study suggests that more comprehensive research is needed to explore how factors such as race, socioeconomic status, and access to care influence cancer outcomes in older adults, as current research tends to underrepresent this demographic.
- To improve health equity in cancer care for older adults, the paper proposes interventions such as actively recruiting diverse older populations into cancer clinical trials, integrating geriatric assessments into oncology care, and developing community-based programs to enhance access to cancer care.
- Additionally, the paper stresses the importance of training healthcare providers in cultural humility and implicit bias to foster better communication and trust with diverse older patient populations, ultimately ensuring that all older adults receive equitable healthcare.
