This new Cancer Research UK (CRUK) report has found that people over the age of 70 account for 53% of all cancer cases in the UK, while only making up 14% of the population.
While cancer survival has improved drastically over recent decades, our older population have not benefited equally from this progress. Tackling problems that are disproportionately affecting this group will be crucial to improving cancer survival.
Older people are less likely to receive treatment for their cancer than their younger counterparts due to various factors, such as being fit enough for treatment. Older people are also often excluded from clinical trials due to age cut offs, meaning they cannot benefit from cutting-edge treatments. We have removed unnecessary age limits on our clinical trials, but the UK Government and research funders must continue to work together to remove this barrier, which could help save lives and provide researchers with invaluable data.
Cancer waiting times are poor across all age groups, but particularly bad for older people – just half of people aged 60-79 are having cancer diagnosed or ruled out within the target time of 28 days, against a target of 80%.
It’s vital the UK government properly prepares the NHS for an ageing population with more complex care needs. Beating cancer must mean beating it for everyone, with nobody left behind. Ensuring the NHS has the specialist staff and equipment needed in the upcoming ten-year workforce plan must be a top priority for the new Health and Social Care Secretary.
To read the full report please visit the CRUK website.