Rise in Baby Boomers Cancer Patients, Experts Advise Better Healthcare

Cancer in baby boomers is estimated to increase by 67 percent between 2010 and 2030, stated researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

"The increase in the number of older adults, the association of cancer with aging, the workforce shortage, and the financial stressors across the health care system and family networks all contribute to a crisis in cancer care that is most pronounced in the older population," researchers wrote in their study.

One of the researchers,  Mary D Naylor of the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health,  said that the physical, psychological, financial and emotional aspects should be improved for better healthcare for the aging cancer patients.

The authors suggested improvements for cancer care among older persons:

• Time period for the clinical trials for the cancer patients should be extended. The researchers noted that "although the majority of patients with cancer and cancer survivors are older adults, historically they have been and continue to be underrepresented in all types of cancer trials. The result may be that drugs are tested on a younger and fitter population that belies potential health risks to older people who may also have more than one condition."
• Patients should be allowed to decide what suits them best. According to the authors, "publicly reported, robust measures of patient reported outcomes meaningful for this population."
• A national workforce commission should be formed that will chalk out plans for the aging cancer patients, required care and workforce that values multidisciplinary teams and geriatrics principles.