a cce s s H ea l t h N ews . n e t
Fe b r u a ry 2 0 2 6
Volume 11 | Issue No. 104
5
Individuals over 65 have an 11 times increased cancer risk
compared to those up to that age. Adequate treatment,
according to evidence-based guidelines and data, is impaired by the
underrepresentation of geriatric patientsin cancer trials.
Physiological factors like age-related organ functioning, comorbidities,
and social drivers of health make late-stage and undiagnosed cancer
far too common.
Comprehensive, quality geriatric care is imperative as the senior
population, individuals 65 years and older, is projected to grow by 40%
from 2020 to 2035, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Geriatric projections for cancer diagnosis
To put this into perspective, in 2022, 17% (58 million) of the U.S.
population was 65 and older. By 2030, that demographic will increase
by 6%.
There are several factors at play that prove counterintuitive to
timely, logical cancer screenings for older adults — and especially for
never-smokers. According to the research, geriatric patients are
"unnecessarily" screened for cancer. Based on nationwide surveys,
at least half of older adults have received at least one unnecessary
screening test for cancer in the past few years.
"Studies show health care professionals
sometimes label Black women as
'difficult' or 'angry' when they speak up
for themselves, or they ask 'too many'
questions. That means some women of color
have a hard time saying things like, 'I'm
afraid you're not listening to me and that it
could harm me or my baby."
