The leading risk factor for cancer isn't what you think
Why is this important? Older adults are the fastest growing population in Canada and globally. By 2068, approximately 29 per cent of Canadians will be over age 65. With cancer being one of the most common diseases in older adults and one of the most common diseases in Canada, it means we need to think about how to provide the best cancer care for older adults.
So how are we doing so far? The answer is: not great. This may be surprising, but we also have a great opportunity to innovate and prepare for this demographic shift in cancer care.
International guidelines — including those from the American Society of Clinical Oncology — say that all older adults should have a geriatric assessment prior to making a decision about their cancer treatment. The most widely used models of geriatric assessment involve a geriatrician.
Consultation with a geriatrician for an older adult allows the oncologist and older adult to engage in a conversation about cancer treatment armed with information. Things like how treatment might affect their cognition, their function, their existing illnesses (which most older adults have when they are diagnosed with cancer), and the years of remaining life.
Importantly, geriatricians centre their assessment on what matters most to patients. This approach anchors any decision about cancer around the wishes of older adults and their support system. When diagnosed with cancer, older adults undergo many tests and measures of function, but the evidence supports that these are not as accurate as geriatric assessment for identifying problems that may be below the surface.
In Canada, there are currently only a handful of specialized geriatric oncology clinics. The oldest clinic is in Montréal at the Jewish General Hospital, followed closely by the Older Adult with Cancer Clinic at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, led by Shabbir Alibhai, one of the authors of this story. As researchers, we are in touch with clinics in Ontario and Alberta that have told us they have geriatric oncology services under development, so we hope to see new programs soon.
These clinics aren't just good for patients. In fact, a study led by Shabbir Alibhai demonstrated a cost savings of approximately $7,000 per older adult seen in these clinics. If we map this onto the number of older adults diagnosed with cancer in Canada every year, this represents a huge cost savings for our public health system. Despite this overwhelming evidence, this is still not routine care.
In British Columbia, there are currently no specialized services for older adults with cancer. Over the last five years, Kristen Haase — also an author of this story — has been working with colleagues to understand whether these services are needed and how they could help older adults with cancer in B.C.
This work involved conversations with more than 100 members of the cancer community. The research team spoke with older adults undergoing cancer treatment, who sometimes had to relocate for cancer treatment. Other participants included caregivers who cared for elderly family members during their cancer treatment and described numerous challenges they faced, and volunteers who ran a free transportation service — a service also mostly staffed by older adult volunteers.
The research team also heard from health-care professionals: oncologists, nurses, physiotherapists and social workers. The latter group coalesced around the need for additional supports within the cancer care system so they could do their job well, and best support older adults.
The results indicate that both those working in the system and those using the system want and need better support.
So where are we now and why don't we have these services across Canada?
Cost is obviously a barrier to any health-care service. But with evidence that any costs will be offset by demonstrated cost savings, this is a non-starter.
Health human resources are one huge restriction. Geriatricians are in high demand and there is low supply. However, nurse-led models have also been shown to be successful. With the expanding role of nurse practitioners across Canada, this option has huge potential to innovate care, and at a lower cost.
Another reason is good old inertia. Our clinical care model in oncology has remained mostly intact for over three decades. It is primarily a single physician-driven model. Although modern therapies for cancer have emerged at a breathtaking pace and have been introduced into clinical practice, it is much harder to change the model of care, particularly for strategies such as geriatric assessment that are harder to implement than a new drug or surgical/radiation technique.
The last, and perhaps the most difficult to pin down of all potential reasons for the absence of specialized cancer services for older adults, is agism. Agism is discrimination based on age. It is one of the most common forms of discrimination and it is deeply embedded in many of our systems. Imagine a scenario where children diagnosed with cancer couldn't access a pediatrician. We would collectively be outraged. Yet somehow, we accept this for older adults.
Due to the overwhelming number of older adults who are and will be diagnosed with cancer in the coming years, it will never be possible for all of them to receive specialized geriatric services. But there is an opportunity to innovate models of care that are targeted to those who need services the most: those who are most frail, are most likely to benefit from tailored care, and will reap the most benefit in terms of quality of life.
Stratifying these programs around those who need them the most will also have the greatest financial impact. And if personal stories of improving quality of life for older adults with cancer or international guidelines don't move decision-makers, hopefully cost savings will.
This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organisation bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kristen Haase, University of British Columbia and Shabbir Alibhai, University of Toronto
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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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Maple Leaf Natural Top Dogs Calories: 100 Sodium: 330 mg, 14% DV Fat: 8 g (includes 3 g saturated), 11% DV No Name Original Hot Dogs Calories: 90 Sodium: 390 mg, 17% DV Fat: 6 g (includes 2 g saturated), 8% DV Schneiders Red Hots Original Weiners Calories: 100 Sodium: 360 mg, 16% DV Fat: 8 g (includes 3 g saturated, 0.1 g trans), 11% DV Larsen Classic Wieners Calories: 110 Sodium: 340 mg, 14% Fat: 9 g (includes 3 g saturated), 14% DV All-beef dogs are a winner at many a barbecue — and when it comes to sodium, they clock in slightly better than one might expect. 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Butterball Turkey Franks Calories: 110 Sodium: 260 mg, 20% DV Fat: 7 g (includes 2 g saturated, 0.1 g trans), 9% DV Zabiha Halal Original Chicken Wieners Calories: 80 Sodium 270 mg, 12% DV Fat: 6 g (includes 1.5 g saturated), 8% DV Maple Lodge Farms Original Chicken Wieners Calories: 80 Sodium: 300 mg, 13% DV Fat: 6 g (includes 2 g saturated), 9% DV Mina Halal Chicken Wieners Calories: 60 Sodium: 350 mg, 15% DV Fat: 4 g (includes 1 g saturated), 6% DV No Name Chicken Hot Dogs Calories: 70 Sodium: 310 mg, 13% Fat: 5 g (includes 1.5 g saturated), 7% DV Great Value Chicken Wieners Calories: 80 Sodium: 310 mg, 13% Fat: 6 g (includes 1.5 g saturated), 8% DV No longer the afterthought at the cookout, vegetarians have more options than ever when hitting the grill. Lightlife Plant-Based Hot Dogs Calories: 60 Sodium: 350 mg, 15% DV Fat: 2 g, 3% DV Yves Tofu Dogs Calories: 60 Sodium: 250 mg, 10% DV Fat: 1.5 g (includes 0.2 g saturated), 2% DV Yves Veggie Dogs Calories: 60 Sodium: 290 mg, 12% Fat: 1 g, 2% DV As stated in the Health Canada study, bakery goods are a surprising minefield when it comes to watching sodium intake. A single hot dog bun from Wonder Bread delivers between seven and nine per cent of your daily sodium allowance, depending on if you reach for the taller "topslice" style or a more classic option. President's Choice has all-butter brioche buns that deliver 230 mg, or 10 per cent, of your daily sodium needs, while D'Italiano brand's brioche-style offering hits 13 per cent of your daily sodium allowance. Classic hot dog buns from Dempster's and Compliments both clock in at seven per cent, while sausage buns from Villaggio have 13 per cent of your recommended daily sodium intake each. Even though it tastes sweet, ketchup can pack a sodium punch with roughly 50 grams (or about four tablespoons' worth), delivering 18.5 per cent of your daily sodium needs. Mustard and relish aren't off the hook, either: According to the USDA, the average yellow mustard has 23.5 per cent of your daily sodium in a comparable amount, while your average sweet relish hovers around 16.5 per cent of your sodium needs for about four tablespoons. It seems hot dogs can be a lower-sodium option than burgers. Still, it's worth keeping an eye out while building your dream 'dog if sodium is a concern for you, as a hot dog on a bun with toppings could easily clear a quarter of your daily sodium allowance (and that's without chips on the side). Tofu dogs will be the lowest-sodium option, but an all-butter brioche bun won't make it feel too austere. Skimping on condiments can keep things in check as well. Now, if only deciding if a hot dog is a sandwich were as straightforward an endeavour!
