UCI geriatric oncologist decries the lack of seniors in clinical trials

Across the country, myriad clinical trials of new cancer treatments are being conducted, but – according to Dr. Homayoon Sanati, a UC Irvine geriatric oncologist – relatively few older patients are involved. UCI is addressing this underrepresentation as part of the Cancer & Aging Collaborative Group, a multi-institution research effort. Many older patients are excluded from clinical trials because they require special care or have complicated medical conditions, says Sanati. Others simply aren’t referred by their doctors. “Our goal is to provide superior care tailored to older adults with cancer,” he adds. “Geriatric oncology is still a young field, but we’re broadening our research to improve patients’ survival rates and quality of life.”