[Social Worker]

How common is cancer? I read recently that about one-third of the adult American population is 65 years of age or older. And, since cancer is a disease of aging, it's not surprising that more than 60 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers every year occur in people over 65 years of age. That means that every year almost three-quarters of a million people over 65 get cancer. That also means that some of your friends and family may have a history of cancer. They might be cancer-free now or they might still be on active treatment. So, yes, cancer is a common and major health concern for older people. When you add to this the fact that many older people already have at least one other chronic health problem, then managing cancer gets more difficult. This makes effective communication between the cancer survivor, the family, and the health care team very important.

[Nurse]

It used to be that doctors did not always discuss medical findings and treatment choices with their patients. They looked at all of the facts and chose what they felt were your best options. During the mid-1970s, some doctors often did not tell people directly that they had cancer. With the patients' rights movement that has changed and, more than likely, your doctor will want you to be a full partner in your care. That means you'll need to find a way to let your doctor and the health care team know what type of treatment you choose for your cancer, if there's a choice between different types of treatment. You should also tell your doctor if you have any other special needs during treatment. For example, if you are a vegetarian or cannot tolerate milk products, your doctor should know this. Also, your doctor needs to know if you're taking any vitamin supplements, natural "medicines," over-the-counter medicines, or any type of non-traditional treatment, because some of these medicines can cause problems with the treatment you will be getting for your cancer. This might make you a little uncomfortable at times, but by working on your communication skills, you can become better at it.

[Narrator]

Some people claim that "they don't want to hear about bad news, that they don't want to know if they have cancer." This may be especially true in some cultures. Listen to what Mary has to say about learning her diagnosis.

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