Inclusion of Seniors in Clinical Trials

At age 89, Elizabeth was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Some of her family members were surprised when Elizabeth chose to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. She's now 94, cancer free, and says the treatment allowed her to watch her grandchildren grow up. She's looking forward to her grandson's college graduation this spring and watching him begin his career as a commercial pilot.

Elizabeth isn't alone. In 2015, when he was 91, former President Jimmy Carter chose to undergo radiation and chemotherapy for melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. Among other accomplishments, Carter went on to write books, teach Sunday School, and help Habitat for Humanity build homes for low-income families.

Not long ago, doctors wouldn't have seen much point in treating someone Elizabeth or President Carter's age with aggressive treatments. However, doctors now believe what matters most is a patient's choice and overall health condition, not age.

Last year, when the US Food and Drug Administration issued draft guidelines for improving the enrollment of participants from underrepresented populations in clinical trials, it included seniors in its scope of diversity characteristics. Many clinical trials arbitrarily exclude people over the age of 65.