As India's ageing population is expected to drive a sharp rise in cancer cases over the next 25 years, specialists are urging a shift from tumour-focused treatment to care that considers the unique health needs of older adults. Against this backdrop, Geri Care has launched India's first dedicated Geriatric Oncology Centre in Chennai, bringing cancer specialists, geriatricians and supportive care teams under one roof.

The centre, based at Geri Care's Adambakkam hospital with teams also serving its T. Nagar and Adyar facilities, integrates medical, surgical and radiation oncology with geriatric medicine, nutrition, psychiatry, psycho-oncology, pain and palliative care, preventive screening and caregiver counselling.

India's population aged 60 years and above is projected to exceed 20% by 2050, up from 8.6% in 2011, according to a ScienceDirect analysis. The same projections suggest that population ageing alone could more than double the country's cancer burden by mid-century, increasing pressure on healthcare systems to develop age-specific treatment models.

"Cancer in older adults cannot be managed the way it is in younger patients," said Dr. Lakshmipathy Ramesh, Founder and Managing Director of Geri Care. "Every treatment decision must account for the elder's overall health, existing medical conditions, functional independence and quality of life."

Older patients frequently live with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disorders while taking several medicines simultaneously—a situation known as polypharmacy. Age-related changes in kidney and liver function can also slow the body's ability to process medicines, raising the risk of harmful drug interactions and treatment-related side effects.

International organisations including the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommend comprehensive geriatric assessment before cancer treatment, citing evidence that it helps personalise therapy, reduces severe treatment complications and improves quality of life. However, studies published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology also note that implementing multidisciplinary geriatric oncology services remains challenging because of workforce shortages and limited specialist infrastructure, particularly outside major cities.

"Older adults living with cancer need coordinated care that goes beyond treating the disease alone," said Dr. Rejiv Rajendranath, Lead – Geriatric Oncology at Geri Care, adding that treatment decisions are made collaboratively while also supporting families and caregivers.