Identify the Obstacles to Early Diagnosis of Cancer in Patients Over 75 Years Old, on an Outpatient Basis

A third of cancers are diagnosed in patients over 75 years of age. There are fears of the elderly talking about new symptoms. The doctor may find himself trapped by general symptoms, which can be confused with "normal aging".

Some older, younger people have lived in a world where cancer was little talked about, where there was little treatment possible.

There is an idea that doctors are not very quick to start curative treatment because they think that the elderly cannot bear it.

It is important to differentiate screening and early diagnosis.

Delayed treatment causes a decrease in survival and quality of life. Cancer can be discovered suddenly: for example, occlusion with peritonitis in case of a stenosing colonic tumor, leading to urgent management.

The elderly are often excluded from clinical studies.

In addition, the geriatric population is heterogeneous, leading to very diverse and individual care, with prioritization of issues.

Oncogeriatrics, which combines two services (oncology and geriatrics), is a specialized discipline, promoting comprehensive care for the elderly patient with cancer.

The general practitioner is at the center of care. It detects early signs and starts examinations if necessary.

Cancer care can be divided up with the different stages of care with various teams, including organ specialists.

The general practitioner is the privileged interlocutor for the patient and their family (medico-psycho-social plan), who knows their history and their experience.