Cancer is a disease associated with ageing. Managing cancer in older adults may prove challenging owing to pre-existing frailty, comorbidity, and wider holistic needs, as well as the unclear benefits and harms of standard treatment options. With the ongoing advances in oncology and the increasing complexity of treating older adults with cancer, the geriatric oncology field must be a priority for healthcare systems in education, research, and clinical practice. However, geriatric oncology is currently not formally taught in undergraduate education or postgraduate training programmes in the United Kingdom (UK). In this commentary, we outline the landscape of geriatric oncology undergraduate education and postgraduate training for UK doctors. We highlight current challenges and opportunities and provide practical recommendations for better preparing the medical workforce to meet the needs of the growing population of older adults with cancer. This includes key outcomes to be considered for inclusion within undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.
癌症是一种与衰老相关的疾病。由于老年人普遍存在衰弱、共病及更广泛的整体需求，且标准治疗方案的获益与风险尚不明确，因此老年癌症患者的治疗管理面临诸多挑战。随着肿瘤学的持续进步以及老年癌症患者治疗复杂性的日益增加，老年肿瘤学领域必须在医疗系统的教育、研究和临床实践中得到优先重视。然而，目前英国在本科教育及研究生培训项目中尚未将老年肿瘤学纳入正式教学体系。本文旨在梳理英国医生在老年肿瘤学本科教育与研究生培训的现状，剖析当前面临的挑战与机遇，并为加强医疗人才培养提出切实建议，以更好地满足日益增长的老年癌症患者群体的需求，其中包括建议纳入本科及研究生课程体系的核心教学目标。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家