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Incorporating Geriatric Medicine Providers into the Care of the Older Adult with Cancer

  • Geriatric Oncology (AR MacKenzie, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

A significant proportion of cancer patients and survivors are age 65 and over. Older adults with cancer often have more complex medical and social needs than their younger counterparts. Geriatric medicine providers (GMPs) such as geriatricians, geriatric-trained advanced practice providers, and geriatric certified registered nurses have expertise in caring for older adults, managing complex medical situations, and optimizing function and independence for this population. GMPs are not routinely incorporated into cancer care for older adults; however, their particular skill set may add benefit at many points along the cancer care continuum. In this article, we review the role of geriatric assessment in the care of older cancer patients, highlight specific case scenarios in which GMPs may offer additional understanding and insight in the care of older adults with cancer, and discuss specific mechanisms for incorporating GMPs into oncology care.

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Acknowledgments

The work was funded by the National Cancer Institute R25CA102618 (Magnuson), Wilmot Research Fellowship Award (Magnuson), and the University of Rochester Department of Medicine Research Pilot Award (Magnuson).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA

    Allison Magnuson

  2. SCOREBoard, Rochester, NY, USA

    Beverly Canin

  3. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    G. J. van Londen

  4. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Beatrice Edwards

  5. Lifespan Oncology Clinical Research, Newport, RI, USA

    Pamela Bakalarski

  6. Geriatric Oncology Solutions, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Ira Parker

  7. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Strong Memorial Hospital, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 704, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA

    Allison Magnuson

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  1. Allison Magnuson
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Correspondence to Allison Magnuson.

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Allison Magnuson, Beverly Canin, G.J. van Londen, Beatrice Edwards, Pamela Bakalarski, and Ira Parker declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Geriatric Oncology

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Magnuson, A., Canin, B., van Londen, G.J. et al. Incorporating Geriatric Medicine Providers into the Care of the Older Adult with Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 18, 65 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-016-0550-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-016-0550-9

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