Older adults represent a significant proportion of the patient population in India. The standard retirement age in government service is 60 years, and this threshold is commonly used to define the older population. With increasing life expectancy, the number of people aged 60 and above is rising rapidly. While the overall population is projected to grow by 40% between 2006 and 2050, the population aged 60 and above is expected to increase by 270%, reaching nearly 20% of the total population by 2050.
As cancer incidence increases with age, this demographic shift will lead to a growing number of older adults diagnosed with malignancies. These patients often face additional challenges related to comorbidities and age-related conditions, requiring tailored approaches to care. Survival outcomes also remain lower in this population, with more than half of cancer-related deaths occurring in individuals over 70.
In India, cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage, partly due to limited awareness. Among older adults, diagnosis may be further delayed due to overlapping symptoms between ageing and cancer, as well as limited recognition of geriatric-specific issues.
The India Country Group brings together healthcare professionals and experts across disciplines to address these challenges. The group focuses on raising awareness of geriatric oncology, supporting the development of care approaches tailored to older adults, and encouraging collaboration across institutions and healthcare settings.
Its activities align with national priorities and support stakeholders, including government bodies, healthcare institutions, and healthcare professionals, in strengthening cancer care for older adults in India.
Meetings
The India Country Group meets regularly online throughout the year.
For meeting dates, agendas, and related documentation, please contact the SIOG Head Office.
Member List
Chair:
Joyita Banerjee
Members:
Shailesh Advani
Imtiaz Ahmed
Ankita Chitre
Arun Kumar Goel
Dipti Kadu
Navneet Kaur
Amol Kotalwar
Venkata Pradeep Babu Koyyala
Jyoti Krishnamurty
Sarika Mahajan
Swarupa Mitra
Suzanne Nethan
Vanita Noronha
Anupa Pillai
NN Prem
Suparna Rao
Mukul Roy
Ajit Kumar Sahoo
Nidhi Soni
Kanika Sood
Deepak Sundriyal
Tilak T V S V G K
