Achieving Appropriate Cancer Care for All Ages

On 11th September 2024, Roche UK launched our new report on ‘Achieving Appropriate Cancer Care for All Ages’ in the Houses of Parliament - available

At Roche, we had heard anecdotal examples of inequalities in access to and experiences of cancer care due to chronological age. We therefore sought to investigate the influence that chronological age plays in cancer care, whether these differences are warranted, and the extent to which age contributes to health inequalities.

The report was developed through desk research, conversations with relevant patient organisations, and through polling of cancer doctors. 

Through our research, we found evidence that a person’s age can impact clinical decisions made about treatment, with older people sometimes not considered suitable for certain interventions on the basis of their age. 

We have therefore developed a series of recommendations for how cancer services can be evolved to improve the outcomes and experiences of older people, so that all patients get tailored, individualised and appropriate care.

A summary of these recommendations can be found on page 3 of the report.

At Roche, we passionately believe that we all have a role to play in working towards addressing the unfair and avoidable differences in care experienced by different groups in society. We hope that through this research, and by shining a light on differences in care experienced by older people, we can ensure all older people get access to the care they deserve.

We’d like to thank all of the patient organisations that kindly gave their time to speak to us and share their perspectives on how age impacts patient care and experiences of care.

M-GB-00019425 Date of Preparation September 2024