MANILA -- Medical experts, doctors, scientists, academics and political leaders in Asia Pacific countries convened on Wednesday to formulate medical care policies for countries with increased cancer cases among older populations.
In her keynote speech at the 2019 International Society of Geriartic Oncology (SIOG) policy meeting, Dr. Susan Pineda-Mercado, deputy secretary-general of the Philippine Red Cross, stressed that changes in the aging population's disease structure create the need for specific types of medical care in the country.
Citing that many among the elderly have cancer or are more prone to the disease, Mercado said the government must promote appropriate care for them.
"The medical care demand must be upgraded to one that will be suitable for an aged society diagnosed with cancer, addressing the needs of older people with cancer is not just about social justice -- it is also our moral responsibility," she added.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), aging people have high risk of cancer because of their unhealthy behaviors and lifestyles.
WHO said the occurrence of cancer among elderly persons tends to increase with countries in Southeast Asia and Europe that are leading in morbidities.
In connection, WHO estimated that persons aged 60 and up will surpass the population of 10 years old and under by 2030 and by 2050 they will be 2.1 billion -- outnumbering children who are 5 years old and below.
Mercado said based on these estimates of the Philippine Statistics Office there will be more than 8 million older Filipinos in the succeeding years.
"It comprise of 8.2 percent of the country's population, thereby placing the Philippines in the outset of an ageing population. The ageing of the population is irreversible, and it will continue to increase significantly," she said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hans Wildiers, SIOG president, confirmed that cancer is "a disease of aging worldwide".
"But, even though older persons comprise the majority of cancer cases, they are more likely to receive less treatment and are under-represented in clinical trials," he said.
To properly address this issue, Wildiers enjoined the policy meeting participants to always refer to SIOG guidelines and educational tools that are essential to good clinical practice in geriatric oncology.
"The recognized need for enhancing clinical practices and research and education for the elderly population with cancer represents a new shift in thinking, with the objective being able to provide all countries with health capabilities to monitor, prioritize and maintain locally relevant, system integrated health research and clinical practices," Mercado said.
She also enjoined the participants to a collaboration that would support individual researchers, institutions and governments in establishing well-designed and impactful international partnerships.
"Let us continue to demonstrate to policy makers how important such associations are for combatting cancer in the vulnerable elderly, as we seek improved access to infrastructure and funding for our partnerships," she added.
Held in Mandaluyong City on Monday, the SIOG Policy Meeting 2019 is a gathering of regional stakeholders, who share knowledge and experiences, to formulate policies for medical professionals and public health officials in providing better health care for the elderly with cancer. (PNA)
