Avoiding Undertreatment, Overtreatment in Geriatric Breast Cancer Patients

A paradox exists in the treatment of older breast cancer patients. This population has a higher risk of dying from their breast cancer and in many cases patients are being undertreated, as some can safely receive more effective treatments based on their specific disease characteristics.

But older patients also have a higher risk of dying from other causes compared with younger populations, and the risk of overtreatment is a serious consideration.

In this video, Hans Wildiers, MD, PhD, of University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium, discusses how to ensure that these patients are receiving the most appropriate care and highlights population studies that can help inform individual treatment decisions.