Ageism in Cancer Care

Objective

To provide an overview of ageism, a review of its influence in cancer, and to outline implications for nursing and interdisciplinary practice.

Data Sources

Research articles, research and clinical reviews, theoretical works, and clinical expertise.

Conclusion

Ageism may be negative, self-stereotyping, positive, or beneficent. Ageism in cancer care results in age-based disparities in screening and detection, where older adults may have some advantage over younger adults as they have more frequent health care encounters through clinical trials enrollment and treatment.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Nurses are well-positioned to identify ageism, to confront and correct it in clinical practice, and to conduct investigations and create curricula that combat ageism and redress age-based disparities.

Keywords: Ageism, age-based disparity, discrimination by age, aged over 80, cancer care