Visit People Living With Cancer: www.plwc.org/olderadults

Alexandria, VA More than 60% of cancers in the United States occur in adults over the age of 65. As the current population ages, and as more people are living longer, the number of new cancer diagnoses in the older population is expected to rise during this century.

Older adults with cancer and their families often have very different emotional and physical needs than younger patients. Older people often have complicating chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, arthritis, or high blood pressure, which can affect cancer treatment and recovery. In addition, seniors may have more limited access to transportation, social support, or financial resources.

People Living With Cancer (www.plwc.org), the consumer website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is featuring answers to the most frequently asked questions received by the site’s senior visitors and their loved ones. Answers to these questions will be provided by nationally recognized cancer expert, Hyman B. Muss, MD, and featured on PLWC July 24-31. Dr. Muss is expected to share relevant research and his professional expertise on such topics as:

-Coping with cancer as an older adult
-Understanding aging and cancer
-Treatment considerations for seniors
-Managing cancer in daily life
-Coping with cancer and other chronic conditions
-Special needs of the older person with cancer

Family members and others wanting to know how to give meaningful support to the more than 600,000 older Americans diagnosed with cancer each year are also encouraged to visit www.plwc.org/olderadults for more information.

Meet the Expert
Hyman B. Muss, MD, a professor of medicine at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and presently serves on ASCO’s Board of Directors . Dr. Muss has published more than 250 manuscripts and more than 200 abstracts on a broad range of cancer topics. As the Co-Chair of a medical working group focused on the care of elderly patients with leukemia, Dr. Muss has earned a reputation as a sought after expert when it comes to treating cancer in the older population.

To speak with Dr. Muss, please call Heather Goethe at 703-299-1016.

People Living With Cancer (www.plwc.org) is the patient website of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. PLWC contains accurate, timely, and oncologist-approved information about more than 100 cancer types and cancer-related syndromes. Information on certain types of cancer is also available in Spanish. An Editorial Board comprised of more than 150 medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists, oncology nurses, social workers, and patient advocates oversees the content on the site.