Abstract
Cancer is a disease of aging with over 60% of all cancers occurring in those 65 and older. There will be a significant growth in the numbers of the older Americans in the next 25 years. This article provides an overview of issues related to the diagnosis of cancer in the older population, including disease burden, bias in treatment, health status, and function. Health professionals must perform appropriate clinical evaluations and provide appropriate interventions to maximize the quality of life.