What is it about?
This study describes for the first time the cancer burden among adults aged 65 years or older in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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Why is it important?
The population in Latin America and the Caribbean is ageing rapidly. This demographic phenomenon has led to an unprecedented rise in non-communicable diseases, including cancer. Because of the specific medical needs in older adults, this increase in number of older patients with cancer will challenge the healthcare system in the region but also have an impact on the families and society.
Perspectives
I hope the findings of this study will be used by policymakers to include specific considerations for older adults with cancer in the cancer control programs. It is really time the healthcare system adapts to the population ageing.
Dr Sophie Pilleron
University of Oxford
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Aging and the cancer burden in Latin America and the Caribbean: Time to act, Journal of Geriatric Oncology, September 2019, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.02.014.
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