Elderly ‘are under-treated for cancer’

Elderly cancer patients are being “under-treated” on the NHS because assumptions are made about their ability to cope, a charity warned today.

Some are missing out on medicines and support that would give them the best chance of beating the disease, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Figures show older people are less likely to receive surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy than younger people.

While this can often be medically justified, there is “growing evidence” older patients who could benefit from treatment are not being offered it, according to Macmillan’s report, The Age Old Excuse: The under-treatment of older cancer patients.

The charity said under-treatment is one of several factors contributing to about 14,000 avoidable cancer deaths among over-75s in the UK each year.

The report said recommendations on treatment are too often being made on the basis of age, regardless of how fit patients are.