Cancer in the Elderly

The transition to old age involves a series of events, including those that are objectively defined and others that individuals evaluate subjectively. The aim of this review study is the investigation, highlighting and information about the multiple effects of cancer on the elderly. An extensive review of the relevant literature was performed via electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, CINAHL and Google scholar) and Greek and international journals. The exclusion criterion for the articles was the language other than Greek and English. The risk of cancer increases with age, resulting in an increased number of older people seeking treatment. Caring for elderly people with cancer differs from that of adults because of the biological differences in tumor, coexistence of morbidity, as well as various psychosocial issues that can affect the effectiveness of treatment. Despite the reduction in the mortality rate of cancer, the aging of the population is accompanied by a significant increase in the overall number of cancer patients. The main nursing care goal is the limitation of biological and atomic forces and characteristics' loss and the adjustment of the elderly to the different phases of the disease. Finally, in the later stages of the disease, the nurse often provides just palliative care.