Abstract
The aging of the Canadian population represents the major risk factor for a projected increase in cancer incidence in the coming decades. However, the evidence base to guide management of older adults with cancer remains extremely limited. It is thus imperative that we develop a national research agenda and establish a national collaborative network to devise joint studies that will help to accelerate the development of high-quality research, education, and clinical care and thus better address the needs of older Canadians with cancer. To begin this process, the inaugural meeting of the Canadian Network on Aging and Cancer was held in Toronto, 27 April 2016. The meeting was attended by 51 invited researchers and clinicians from across Canada, as well as by international leaders in geriatric oncology from the United States and France. The objectives of the meeting were to (1) review the present landscape of education, clinical care, and research in the area of cancer and aging in Canada; (2) identify issues of high research priority in Canada within the field of cancer and aging; (3) identify current barriers to geriatric oncology research in Canada and develop potential solutions; (4) develop a Canadian collaborative multidisciplinary research network between investigators to improve health outcomes for older adults with cancer; (5) learn from successful international efforts to stimulate the geriatric oncology research agenda in Canada. In the present report, we describe the education, clinical care, and research priorities that were identified at the meeting.
Highlights
We describe the education, clinical care, and research priorities that were identified at the meeting
When asked how the meeting would affect their clinical practice, respondents said that they felt more aware of the need to focus on geriatric oncology, were interested in networking with other experts in the field, were considering implementing geriatric screening or assessment, and were considering various strategies for initiating geriatric oncology research and clinics
To promote advocacy—for example, to acquire seats on major regional or national guideline committees (Canadian provincial cancer organizations, Canadian Cancer Research Alliance, for instance) to help as well as to connect with patient advocacy groups to reach out to patients themselves to advocate for geriatric oncology
Summary
In relation to those activities, the Network should explore opportunities to work with major peer-reviewed funding agencies to establish targeted calls or specific requests for proposals in the area of geriatric oncology. Most attendees wholeheartedly agreed that a Canadian Network on Aging and Cancer is needed, because some issues in education, clinical care, and research are unique to Canada. When asked how the meeting would affect their clinical practice, respondents said that they felt more aware of the need to focus on geriatric oncology, were interested in networking with other experts in the field, were considering implementing geriatric screening or assessment, and were considering various strategies for initiating geriatric oncology research and clinics. When asked how the meeting would affect their research, attendees were interested in working collaboratively, focusing on older-adult clinical trials, and incorporating patient-centred outcomes into studies. Many respondents suggested topics related to inpatient care
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
