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Geriatric Oncology - Mental Health Issues
 Demographics
Those individuals 65 and over are the fastest growing segment
of the population in Canada. In Ontario, by 2028, this age
group will have increased by 120 per cent. By 2028 the elderly
will represent 21.1% of Ontario’s population compared
to the current 13 per cent.(1)
Why is this Important?
Increasing age is directly correlated with increasing rates
of cancer and corresponds to an eleven-fold greater incidence
in persons over the age of 65 versus those under the age of
65.( 2) Eighty percent of all cancers occur in persons older
than 60 years of age. Stereotypes of aging, however, must
be avoided as the older population is not homogeneous and
chronological age is not always an accurate predictor of psychological
decline. As nurses, we must avoid ageist assumptions, assessing
each older cancer patient’s physiological, intellectual,
emotional, functional need and bring to that assessment the
person’s physical and social environment. It is with
this full assessment best care practices can emerge.
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