Journal: Cancer discovery
This publication discusses how population aging is driving a sharp rise in cancer incidence and reframes cancer in older adults as a core public health challenge rather than a niche issue. It emphasizes that aging and cancer are biologically and clinically intertwined—each influences the onset, progression, treatment tolerance, and outcomes of the other.
- The authors argue that care for older adults with cancer must move beyond chronological age alone and instead focus on the specific mechanisms and manifestations of aging that affect tumor biology, treatment choice, toxicity, and survivorship.
- They highlight the opportunity to develop “precision” strategies tailored to the geriatric oncology population by addressing the bidirectional links between aging processes and malignancy.
Overall, the piece calls for integrating aging science into oncology to design more individualized, effective interventions for older patients.