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Meeting Report: Breast Cancer in the Older Woman

Approximately 50% of breast cancers occur in women aged 65 and older1• With the expansion of the older population in the future, the incidence and prevalence of breast cancer among older women are expected to increase2• Consequently, the practice of oncology should become attuned to the special characteristics of the older population, which include a high degree of diversity in life expectancy, treatment tolerance and social resources3. In addition, the oncologist should be aware of potential changes in cancer biology occurring with the age of the patient. Aware of this growing problem, the Departments of Medical Oncology and of Internal Medicine and Aging, University Hospital of Bologna, convened an International Conference (27 to 29 January, 2002) to explore some of the most pressing issues of breast cancer control and clinical decision making in elderly women (Table 1). The aims were: to review the present level of evidence that justifies preventative and therapeutic interventions; to outline a research agenda for the future; to issue a number of recommendations for clinical practice until more information emerges. The discussion and the conclusions of the Conference are presented in this article.