Breast cancer care increasingly requires coordination among medical oncologists, primary care providers, pharmacists, and geriatric specialists, especially for older patients. The University of Colorado Anschutz recently launched the first Geriatric Oncology Clinic in the state of Colorado, which has expanded access to specialty physicians and helps preserve patients’ quality of life while managing treatment. Enrique Soto Perez de Celis, MD, PhD, an associate professor of medicine and medical oncology at the University of Colorado Anschutz, said in an interview with The American Journal of Managed Care® that the clinic addresses a critical gap in care.
Specialized care for aging populations
Older patients often suffer from multiple chronic conditions that a single specialist cannot effectively manage. This reality makes multidisciplinary care essential for delivering quality outcomes. The new clinic brings together various specialists to create cohesive treatment plans. It ensures that older adults receive attention from doctors who understand how aging bodies process medication and how coexisting illnesses interact with cancer treatments. The model prioritizes patient preferences over clinical trial data.
Enrique Soto Perez de Celis, MD, PhD noted that older adults’ preferred outcomes vary. Many want to live as long as possible while maintaining their independence. To achieve this balance, doctors must tailor strategies to individual needs. “The only way in which we can know what that person in front of us values is by asking and by trying to understand their circumstances, their preferences, et cetera,” he said.
Related: User Blocked After Violation of Platform Policies
The approach sometimes requires choosing less aggressive treatments to reduce physical burden, even if those options offer slightly lower efficacy. Other patients prioritize longevity to attend specific family events. Soto emphasized that these individual goals rarely align with standard clinical trial criteria. “The only way in which we can know what’s important for people is asking them, and that does not necessarily match what we look for in clinical trials,” he explained.
Despite the clear benefits of this patient-centered model, the expansion of such specialized centers across the state remains a logistical challenge. Managing a team of diverse specialists requires significant administrative and financial resources. Without widespread access to similar multidisciplinary teams, patients in rural areas may not have the same opportunity to have their specific values and preferences integrated into their care plans.
Rural populations face additional hurdles regarding environmental health risks. For instance, exposure to wildfire smoke poses a significant threat to those with asthma. Smoke can trigger severe respiratory symptoms and exacerbate chronic conditions, complicating the management of cancer treatments. Addressing these external factors is just as critical as coordinating medical specialists.
