Health Services Management Centre (Birmingham), ICF International, 26 June 2018
- This report examines the specific needs of older patients with cancer, and explores the process of clinical decision-making for older people with cancer across the UK.
- It discusses why older people’s needs not being identified or sufficiently well-understood, issues with the knowledge and awareness of the cancer workforce about the specific challenges of treating older patients, and lack of evidence to support new cancer treatments in older populations.
- The research involved a literature review, clinical observations at eight case study sites, interviews with 15 national decision-makers and 80 health professionals, and three UK-wide surveys (of primary care professionals, secondary care professionals and older people affected by cancer). The direction of the research was also informed by engagement with a group of older people affected by cancer, and by extensive engagement and interviews with national policymakers.
