Older adults represent the majority of patients with cancer in Australia, yet significant disparities and variations in their care persist nationally. The Australian Cancer Plan (ACP) prioritises equitable, evidence-based cancer care, with Optimal Care Pathways (OCPs) forming a central framework to ensure consistent, high-quality treatment across the country. This project aimed to develop an OCP specifically for older adults with cancer, aligned with the ACP’s strategic goal of reducing age-related disparities and enhancing person-centred outcomes.
A multidisciplinary expert working group mapped the cancer journey of older adults using the National OCP Framework. The pathway development was informed by a comprehensive literature review, stakeholder workshops, and broad engagement with clinical and consumer representatives. The resulting OCP emphasises collaborative, age-friendly and person-centred care, underscoring the importance of adequate assessment at diagnosis. Critical steps include routine geriatric assessment (GA), individualised treatment planning balancing functional status and patient preferences, and the integration of GA-guided supportive care services. The OCP aims to enable age-friendly cancer care, helping clinicians to determine What Matters Most to the patient and carers, with a particular focus on combatting systemic and individualised ageism.
To support implementation, a clinical pathway, quick reference guide, and consumer guide were developed, the latter available in 11 languages to enhance accessibility and inclusivity.
This national framework offers clinicians and health services practical guidance to reduce treatment variability and improve decision-making for older Australians with cancer. By aligning with the ACP’s vision for integrated, data-driven health systems, the OCP aims to improve equitable outcomes and person-centred care. Future evaluation will assess the pathway’s impact on patient outcomes and health service delivery.
The development and implementation of this OCP represent a critical step towards closing the gap in cancer care for older adults, with a focus on the provision of person-centred, age friendly cancer care. The OCP will play a role in advancing the ACP’s ambition for a high-quality, equitable cancer care system for all Australians regardless of their chronological age..