Australians are living longer than ever before. The risk of having a cancer diagnosis increases with age, so the number of older people in Australia being diagnosed with cancer is increasing.
For some older adults, a diagnosis of cancer brings challenges linked to other health issues such as age-related changes in heart or lung function, mobility, or memory.
Access to health services and support networks may also change as a person gets older. These changes can complicate getting to or managing the side-effects of cancer treatment.
The “Your diagnosis” section focuses on the importance of sharing information between the person diagnosed with cancer and the cancer team. Sharing information can help ensure that older people have the most appropriate care and treatment for them.
