老年学と老年医学の研究

概要

Preventive Oncology in Geriatrics: The Need of the Hour

Puri S*, Choudhary K and Pardeep A

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality both globally and also in India. Aging itself is a major risk factor for cancer. A wealth of literature endorses that early detection leads to prevention or cure from disability and improves quality of life. Preventive oncology, a multidisciplinary branch, incorporates the measures taken to prevent development of risk factors and disease progression to malignant phase owing to causal association with modifiable risk factors. It is validated in many studies that major barriers in early diagnosis and treatment of geriatric cancers are attributed to lack of awareness and stereotyping of aging, among others. This discipline should also be promoted in light of its huge impact on not only health but also on economy.