Cochin Oncology Group Champions Tech-Enabled, Holistic Care for Geriatric Cancer Patients
Kochi, 11th February 2025: Recognizing the urgent need for specialized care for elderly cancer patients, the Cochin Oncology Group (COG) convened its Annual Meeting and CME on Geriatric Oncology. Partnering with the Asian Geriatric Oncology Society, the event brought together leading experts to address the unique challenges of this growing field, emphasizing holistic care and the role of technology.
A holistic approach, incorporating physical, psychological, social, and nutritional factors into routine cancer care, was deemed essential. Discussions emphasized the need for dedicated geriatric clinics and designated care coordinators to streamline care and improve treatment adherence for older adults. The COG recognized that geriatric oncology aligns perfectly with the 2025 World Cancer Day theme, “United by Unique,” as each elderly cancer patient presents with distinct needs and requires personalized treatment.
“For truly effective geriatric care, interdepartmental collaboration and the strategic use of relationship managers to bridge communication between families, physicians, and patients are paramount. And, naturally, attending to the emotional and informational well-being of both patients and their caregivers is essential”, said Dr. Arun Warrier, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Aster Medcity – Kochi and the Secretary of COG.
The meeting underscored the crucial role of technology, including telemedicine, AI, and predictive analytics, in enhancing geriatric oncology care. Experts emphasized the need to embrace these technologies to improve efficiency, personalize treatment, and address the challenges presented by an aging population.
Key Focus Areas of the Workshop were Physical and Functional Status Assessments for better treatment planning, Social and Psychological Support Evaluation to enhance patient well-being, Nutritional Optimization for improving resilience during cancer therapy, Geriatric Assessment Methodologies tailored for elderly oncology patients.
Dr. Arun Warrier, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Aster Medcity – Kochi and the Secretary of COG is the CME Organiser. Dr. Varun Rajan, Medical Oncologist at Medical Trust is the CME convenor. The workshop was chaired by Dr. Purvish Parikh and Dr. K. Pavithran (President, COG).