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S8
A B S T R A C T S
to 1101.6. The incidence of breast cancer, the most diagnosed
cancer in females, is estimated to increase from 157.2 to 570.1,
from 104.8 to 773.8, and from 71.7 to 601.2 in aged groups 65–
69, 70–74, 75 and above. The second most frequent type, colon
cancer, had his incidence increase in individuals aged 74 and
below, while it decreased in patients aged 75 and above. Lung
cancer followed with a decrease in incidence rates in the
subgroup 65–69, and an increase in individuals aged 70 and
above.
Conclusion:
As the Lebanese population ages, the inci-
dence of cancer increases mainly in individuals aged between
65 and 74 years. The stability observed in patients aged
75 years and above could be the result of a higher mortality
rate or a less frequent disease at this advanced age. Adapted
and personalized therapeutic strategies are needed in the
management of elderly patients; as well as the need for the
establishment of new guidelines in managing this more frail
population.
Disclosure of interest:
None declared
S23
DAILY LIVING WITH CANCER: THE PATIENT’S VOICE
Susan Knox
Europa Donna -The European Breast Cancer Coalition, Milan, Italy
There are many myths and preconceived notions regarding
breast cancer treatment for older women. Decisions about
breast cancer treatment, care, and even screening should
never be based on chronological age alone. I have experienced
breast cancer as a relatively young woman and as an older
one; I will provide some personal insight on how age impacts
decision making and living with breast cancer. Patients want
to get all the information appropriate to their individual
situations and make decisions about treatment together with
health care professionals based on both the facts and their own
personal preferences and life situation. This is fundamental
and is not age dependent. If age needs to be considered, it
is the patient who should decide what option she wishes to
pursue based on the evidence presented eg. inconvenience of
radiotherapy vs mastectomy. It is the patient who needs to
evaluate how much benefit is derived from more aggressive
treatment when one is older vs better quality of life in later
years. One size does not fit all.
Europa Donna—The European Breast Cancer Coalition
advocates that all women should have access to appropriate
screening, treatment, follow up, and access to clinical trials
regardless of age. Age may play a role in treatment decisions
but must be shared between the patient and her health care
team.
Disclosure of interest:
None declared
S24
LATIN AMERICA
Ludmila Koch
Department of Medical Oncology, Sao Paulo, Brazil
In less developed countries, the fact that a higher fraction
of patients die from cancer demonstrates that their attempts
to control cancer are much less effective – which is hardly
surprising, given the remarkable disparities in resources
between the lowest and highest income countries. While the
number of elderly will double worldwide by the year 2050, it
will almost triple in Brazil. While in European countries the
aging process took place slowly and only after an enrichment
of nations, in which infrastructure problems were already
solved, the same did not occur here: the aging of the
population is a major challenge for all of us, because we live in
a country where we still have many structural problems to be
solved, such as the public health system, which is insufficient,
basic education of low quality. And this is reflected in the
quality of life of the elderly. According Kalache, the growth
of the elderly population presents a new challenge to health
systems and social support networks in many less developed
countries where populations are becoming old before they
become wealthy. Alliance for Aging Research published in
2002, it is estimated that to care the 35 million Americans
older existing at the time it would take 20,000 geriatricians in
the country, which would amount to a geriatrician / inhabitant
ratio old 1:5,700. In 2015, Brazil has a population aged 60 and
over stands at 25 million and using as given the number of
members of the Brazilian Society of Geriatric and Gerontology,
we can assume that the ratio of geriatricians/elderly is 1/9,900.
While the number of oncologists/inhabitant is 1,7/100,000.
In summary, most less developed countries cannot afford
to develop multidisciplinary geriatric oncology approach.
Special provisions will have to be made in the existing health
system in order to train primary care professionals in the
field of geriatrics. Session will review those topics describing
issues in geriatric oncology in Latin America.
Disclosure of interest:
None declared
S25
GERIATRIC ONCOLOGY: THE VIEW FROM LATIN AMERICA
Ludmila Koch
Department of Medical Oncology, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Developing countries are in epidemiological and demo-
graphical transition. By 2020, 70% of all cancers will be in
developing countries. By 2050, majority of Geriatric people and
patients will be living in developing countries. Demographic
aging in less developed countries is very much influenced by
the previous explosive demographic growth. Furthermore,
the growth of the elderly in these countries’ populations
happens in a context of poverty, large heterogeneity, and
profound inequity. Between the years 2020 and 2040, these
countries will show age structures approaching that of