ABSTRACT
The historic unrecognized problem of cancer and aging was identified in tandem by medicine and nursing over 25 years ago. Although great progress has been made to champion the needs of older adults facing cancer, significant discovery is required to bridge the knowledge gap between the epidemiologic prevalence of cancer with advancing age and the paucity of investigative findings to enhance and optimize elder cancer care. The goal of this chapter is to chronicle the evolution of the field of oncology nursing in its efforts to address the needs of the older adult facing cancer and to provide a review of the important scientific contributions made to gerooncology by nursing research.
