by Ailsa Sirois
On May 5, the ACCESS Research Lab had the pleasure of partnering with the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging, Providence Healthcare, and the UBC School of Nursing to host a Dialogue on Aging Public Presentation Series: Geriatric Oncology Panel at VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver. Local and international experts in geriatric oncology presented on topics related to healthy aging and cancer for older adults. The panel was chaired by Dr. Kristen Haase, Co-Principal Investigator of the ACCESS Lab.
Dr. Kristin Campbell started the session, discussing ‘future proofing’ and maintaining wellbeing as we age. Healthy living and healthy policies can reduce the risk of some cancers. They can also help you prepare to face future life events, like stress and illness.
Dr. Shabbir Alibhai presented the case for prehabilitation – the process of enhancing functional status before treatment to improve outcomes after treatment – for older adults diagnosed with cancer. A major barrier is that few prehabilitation programs exist.
Dr. Enrique Soto explored ‘bouncing back’ from cancer and cancer treatments, and how geriatric oncology can help to promote resilience. A key takeaway from his talk was that decline is NOT inevitable with age!
To close the session, the panel and audience members engaged in an active and myth-busting discussion about healthy aging and cancer.
We were thrilled to host over 85 guests. Several community partners hosted booths at the event including, Inspire Health, the BC Brain Wellness Program, Ovarian Cancer Canada, Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada, UBC Nursing, and UBC Physiotherapy.
This public event was one of several geriatric oncology events hosted by the ACCESS Research Lab between May 5-8, 2025. The events took place to raise awareness about geriatric oncology and the value of geriatric oncology services. Geriatric oncology is the specialized field of cancer care for older adults. Although nearly 80% of cancer cases in BC are among those aged 60 years (BC Cancer, 2024), there are no geriatric oncology or other specialized services for older adults with cancer in BC.
Join the ACCESS Research Lab in changing cancer care for older adults in BC! Sign up for our email list to stay up to date on future events and opportunities to participate in research.
To watch a recording of the event, Cancer as an Older Adult: Preparing, Managing, Thriving, please CLICK HERE.
