A free tool aims to increase oncologists’ use of formal geriatric assessments (GAs) in older patients with cancer.
Such assessments seek to measure factors beyond age that can affect a patient’s risk for morbidity or mortality. They can primarily be self-administered but do require brief involvement from care staff. Plus, their value is backed by solid evidence, and they are widely recommended in clinical guidelines. In 2023, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published a chart called the Practical Geriatric Assessment (PGA), a tool — mainly consisting of basic health and wellness questions — meant to streamline GAs for patients with cancer. On the basis of recent data from randomized trials, the PGA is designed to be more clinically practical than similar instruments.
Link: Medscape Medical News (08/2025)
