Cancer in the Elderly

Undertreating or overtreating? Given that older patients are heavily under-represented in clinical trials, it can be hard to know. A major UK study was set up in 2012 to generate evidence and tools to improve decision making and outcomes specifically in elderly breast cancer patients. Alberto Costa asked Lynda Wyld, Chief Investigator of the ‘Bridging the Age Gap’ study, about what they found, and the implications for clinical practice.

Due to the progressive aging of the population, cancer in the older person has become an increasingly common global problem.