As India's elderly population continues to grow rapidly, healthcare experts say cancer treatment must also change to meet the unique needs of older adults. Responding to this need, Geri Care has launched what it calls India's first dedicated Geriatric Oncology Centre, a specialised facility designed exclusively for senior citizens living with cancer.

The new centre, based at Geri Care's Adambakkam hospital in Chennai with specialist teams also available at its T. Nagar and Adyar facilities, aims to provide complete cancer care for elderly patients under one roof. Unlike conventional cancer treatment, the centre combines medical, surgical and radiation oncology with geriatric medicine, nutrition, mental health support, pain management, palliative care and caregiver counselling.

The initiative comes at a time when India is witnessing a steady rise in both its ageing population and cancer burden. Experts estimate that people aged 60 years and above will account for more than one-fifth of the country's population by 2050. With longer life expectancy, the number of cancer cases among older adults is also expected to increase significantly, creating a greater need for specialised treatment designed around ageing patients.

Doctors at the centre say treating cancer in senior citizens requires much more than focusing on the disease alone. Older patients often have multiple health conditions, reduced physical strength, nutritional challenges and age-related changes that can affect treatment decisions. These factors make cancer care more complex than it is for younger patients.

Dr. Lakshmipathy Ramesh, Founder and Managing Director of Geri Care, said cancer treatment for older adults should take into account the patient's overall health, existing illnesses, independence and quality of life. He said the newly launched centre brings together every aspect of geriatric cancer care—from early screening and diagnosis to treatment, nutrition, palliative care and caregiver support—through a single multidisciplinary team.

The centre has specialists in medical, surgical and radiation oncology working alongside geriatricians, psycho-oncologists, psychiatrists, nutritionists, pain and palliative care experts and specially trained geriatric nurses. It also offers preventive cancer screening for senior citizens and counselling services for family members, recognising that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire household.

Dr. Rejiv Rajendranath, Lead of Geriatric Oncology at Geri Care, said older cancer patients require coordinated care that addresses both the disease and the physical and emotional challenges associated with ageing. He said treatment decisions are made jointly by specialists to ensure that care is personalised according to each patient's health condition while also supporting families and caregivers throughout the treatment journey.

The launch of the Geriatric Oncology Centre is part of Geri Care's broader effort to build specialised healthcare services for India's ageing population. The organisation recently expanded its eldercare network with the opening of a geriatrician-led skilled nursing facility and long-term care hospital in Coimbatore, further strengthening its focus on integrated healthcare for senior citizens.