Summary - The ASCO Post

Ageism and Its Role in the Treatment of Cancer

"By raising awareness of the impact of ageism on older individuals and dispelling prevalent myths about aging, clinicians may better understand the biological, psychological, and sociologic needs of their patients, irrespective of age."

Sincere McMillan

The ASCO Post 2/24/2025 10:39 AM

Age discrimination, or ageism, affects individuals across all age groups, with older adults being particularly vulnerable. By 2040, individuals aged 65 and older will represent 21% of the U.S. population. Despite this demographic shift, ageism remains widespread, impacting healthcare access and quality, contributing to workforce shortages in geriatric care, affecting cancer care for older adults, and influencing the quality of life among older patients. Addressing ageism is critical to combatting its detrimental impact on healthcare access, patient outcomes, quality of life, and workforce preparedness in geriatric care.