Ageism in the NHS is stopping some older cancer patients getting the best treatment according to a survey of oncologists.
The ICM research, commissioned by Macmillan Cancer Support, shows nearly half (48%) think stereotypes and assumptions about older people held by health professionals is resulting in some older cancer patients not getting the best treatment for their cancer and individual needs.
Nearly half of health professionals (45%) say they have dealt with a cancer patient who has been refused treatment on the grounds they were too old, and nearly two in three (67%) said they have heard health professionals speak to older cancer patients in a condescending or dismissive way.
These findings echo those of recent reports published by the Royal College of Surgeons and the Department of Health, which suggest that some health professionals make age-based assumptions about people’s ability to tolerate cancer treatment.
The UK has some of the worst cancer survival rates in Europe for older people and its older population are less like to receive treatment than their younger counterparts, according to Macmillan.
Susan, 66, from Warwickshire, who was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago, says: “I’d signed the chemotherapy consent form but when I went to see the consultant he threw every negative at me about maybe never being the same again and anyway it may not work. I came out of the appointment and burst into tears.
“I asked him later why he’d not pushed it and was told, “You’re 60 not 30. At 30 you’d have more life in front of you”. I’m still alive but I just wish I’d had proper support to make an informed decision.”
To help combat this, Macmillan has published a new report with what it thinks the NHS in England must do to improve the treatment and care of older people with cancer. The report, ‘Cancer Services Coming of Age’, summarises the findings of five pilot projects set up in England with Age UK and Department of Health to improve the quality of cancer care for older people.
Based on these findings, Macmillan is calling on healthcare providers in England to:
• Adopt assessment methods that test a patient’s overall physical and mental wellbeing – including cognition, mental wellbeing, nutrition, and social and financial circumstances – to ensure treatment decisions aren’t based on age alone.
• Give health professionals the time and resources to complete specialist training in elderly care to reduce age discrimination in the NHS.
Ciarán Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “Health professionals’ concerns about the prevalence of age discrimination in cancer care mustn’t be ignored.
“Unless staff are given the time and training to carry out a proper assessment of a patient’s overall physical and mental wellbeing, some patients will be unfairly written-off as “too old” for treatment. The right practical support, whether it’s transport or help with caring responsibilities must also be put in place so older people needing treatment can actually take it up.
