Cancer affects older adults more than any other age group. Older adults face challenges when confronting a cancer diagnosis, which may be different from the challenges faced by younger patients. Older adults with cancer may be dealing with medical and social issues that make their care more complicated such as living alone, having additional medical conditions and disabilities, or living on a fixed income.
Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center recognizes that older adults with cancer may require specialized care to support them and their families. However, we also recognize that older adults often have coping skills developed through years of living that allow them to face cancer with strength, dignity and the ability and desire to make decisions about their own health care goals and treatment.
Resources for Older Adults
There are many organizations in the community that offer valuable resources for older adults.