Highlights From an Expert Meeting on Opportunities for Cancer Prevention Among Older Adults.

Highlights From an Expert Meeting on Opportunities for Cancer Prevention Among Older Adults. Gerontologist. 2019 May 17;59(Supplement_1):S94-S101 Authors: Cancer Prevention During Older Adulthood Writing Group Abstract This paper provides highlights from an expert meeting to explore opportunities to reduce cancer risk and promote health at older ages. Factors that increase cancer risk among older adults include exposure to carcinogens from multiple sources, chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes, and unhealthy behaviors. Emerging research points to chronic social stressors - social isolation, loneliness, and financial hardship - as being linked to accelerated biological aging and increased cancer risk later in life. Older adults may disproportionately encounter these stressors as well as barriers to preventive health care services, accurate health information, and environments that promote health. Researchers can use existing cohort studies of older adults to deepen our understanding of the relative benefit of modifying specific behaviors and circumstances. The evidence points to the value of comprehensive, transdisciplinary approaches to promote health and reduce cancer risk across the entire lifespan, extending through older adulthood. Clinical encounters with older adults provide opportunities for psychosocial and behavioral screening and counseling. In the presence of multiple morbidities, preventive health services may...
Source: The Gerontologist - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Gerontologist Source Type: research