Scoping review of 187 cancer care guidelines across 31 European jurisdictions uncovers major japs in the way older adults are represented and calls for action
Older adults comprise the majority of cancer patients in the UK and across Europe, and yet a new study has found that they are under-represented in national cancer care guidelines.
Photo by Matt Bennett / Unsplash
The new scoping review was led by Dr India Pinker from the Ageing, Cancer and Disparities (ACADI) Research Unit of the Department of Precision Health (DoPH) at the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), and supervised by Dr Sophie Pilleron. The study was undertaken in collaboration with the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG).
Dr Pinker’s review assessed 187 guideline reports from 31 European jurisdictions addressing five of the most common cancers: breast, colorectal, lung, prostate and urinary bladder. The jurisdictions were the four UK nations – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – and well as Switzerland and the 26 member states of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
Even though there is a sizeable and growing rate of cancer among older adults, the study concludes that specific guidance for this demographic remains underdeveloped, inconsistent and highly dependent on geographic and disease-specific factors. ‘The UK had minimal or no specific recommendations for older adults in their guidelines,’ says the study, having reviewed current guidance on cancer from by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
In contrast, France, Germany, and Sweden are making progress with age-specific recommendations.
The paper calls for urgent action to improve national guidance across Europe and support for geriatric oncology amid ageing populations.
- Read the full paper: ‘Representation of geriatric oncology in cancer care guidelines in Europe: a scoping review by the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG)’
Dr India Pinker says: ‘Older adults make up the majority of cancer patients, yet many of the policies meant to guide their care are not equipped for this. Our study shows that we lack dedicated evidence-based recommendations for older adults, which poses a risk that the needs of this complex and heterogeneous group will go unmet.
‘Cancer care must evolve to reflect the realities of our ageing societies. We hope this work highlights the importance of generating and using evidence and geriatric expertise in shaping national cancer care guidelines. These measures will help to reduce age-related disparities in cancer outcomes and ensure care is able to effectively respond to demographic realities.’
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