The Aging and Cancer Research Joint Retreat brought together researchers, clinicians, and community leaders to address the growing challenges of cancer care in an aging population. Opening remarks by Dr. Eric Winer highlighted demographic trends: older adults now represent 18% of the U.S. population, and by 2040, nearly three-quarters of cancer survivors will be age 65 or older. This shift underscores the need for research and care models that account for complex comorbidities and social determinants of health.
Community perspectives, shared by Dr. Melissa Lang, emphasized that chronological age does not reflect functional status. Social drivers such as transportation, nutrition, and housing strongly influence outcomes. Community service providers, advocates, and leaders called for better coordination, data sharing, and workforce development to meet rising demands.
Survey data presented by AARP’s Nora Duncan revealed that Connecticut residents aged 45+ prioritize mental sharpness, affordable healthcare, and aging in place. Caregiving is widespread, and concerns about prescription costs and financial security remain high. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Carolyn DeRocco highlighted the significant impact among caregivers and stark racial and gender disparities of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on older adults, which can affect cancer treatment decision-making, adherence, and tolerance, requiring more personalized and supportive care strategies.
Clinical research presentations addressed screening, prevention, and survivorship. Dr. Douglas Brash discussed genetic and environmental factors in late-age skin cancer risk, while Dr. Amy Justice demonstrated that physiological age predicts screening benefit better than chronological age. Dr. Lajos Pusztai explored how inherited and acquired mutations interact with aging to drive cancer risk, and Dr. Xuehong Zhang linked chronic inflammation and diet to liver cancer development in older adults.
Survivorship studies by Dr. Michaela Dinan showed that frailty, cardiovascular disease, depression, and second primary cancers are common among long-term survivors, with age and prior health history as key predictors. Dr. Jeffrey Townsend highlighted how aging alters the genetic drivers of cancer, calling for age-informed precision oncology. Dr. Ira Leeds and Dr. Cary Gross stressed the importance of addressing psychosocial vulnerability and unmet social needs, noting that older patients often lack access to coordinated support and are underrepresented in clinical trials.
Key Takeaways:
• Aging is the strongest risk factor for cancer and shapes treatment response.
• Social and behavioral risks associated with aging significantly affect surgical and survivorship outcomes
• Screening and care decisions should be personalized using validated tools and supportive care.
• Community partnerships and integrated support systems are essential for equitable care of older cancer patients.
Dr. Tracy Battaglia concluded the retreat reiterating our collective commitment to advance research, improve care models, and foster community collaboration to meet the needs of older adults with cancer. The retreat planning committee is launching a Cancer & Aging Research Alliance to continue this collaborative work.
Read the 16-page report for a more complete synopsis of the day.