[Cancer Care in a Super-Aged Society-Perspectives from a Medical Oncologist].

Abstract

Aging is a risk factor for cancer, and the number of older adults with cancer is rising. When delivering cancer care for this population, it is essential to assess not only the cancer but also the individual as an older adult. Accurate evaluation requires understanding the biological, physiological, and social characteristics associated with aging. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is recommended to ensure proper evaluation. Additionally, when delivering evidence-based cancer care for older adults, it is important to acknowledge that randomized phase Ⅲ trials are not the only source of evidence. Community consensus and theoretical best practices, while sometimes considered weaker, still represent legitimate forms of scientific evidence. Therefore, the absence of strong evidence does not justify accepting approaches without supporting data. In treating older adults with cancer, it is crucial to tailor the treatment strategy to the patient's values and preferences. However, healthcare providers need to employ appropriate methods to accurately understand the preferences of older adults. To provide better cancer care for older adults, it is necessary to adopt an interdisciplinary approach, collaborating with not only medical oncologists but also nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, rehabilitation specialists, and medical social workers. Therefore, in Japan's super-aged society, medical oncologists need to serve as leaders in team-based cancer care, maintaining a broad perspective that addresses both'cancer'and'the older adult'.