Physician-older patient communication about cancer

Cancer is frequently a disease of older individuals. Communication between physicians and older patients about cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and care is complicated by a variety of factors including patients' beliefs, perceptions, and knowledge about cancer. In addition, other older patient factors such as possible sensory deficits, cognitive impairment, functional limitations and accompaniment by significant others to the medical encounter influence communication. Physicians' attitudes about aging may also affect recommendations for cancer screening, treatment regiments and care of older cancer patients. To understand communication as a complex, multidimensional human enterprise requires knowledge of older patients' lived experience of cancer and their need for honest and compassionate care. Research findings on physician-older patient communication about cancer need to be translated into medical education, training and practice to improve the care of the older cancer patient.