S8 Ep. 14: Advancing Geriatric Oncology
Last Updated: May 22, 2025
With more adults living longer, oncology is facing a critical challenge: how to provide cancer care that reflects the realities of aging. In this episode, Dr. Dale walks us through the creation of SOCARE (Specialized Oncology Care and Research in Elders), a clinic that evaluates patients’ physical function, cognitive health, and social environment before treatment begins. This kind of assessment leads to better decisions, fewer complications, and care that aligns with each person’s capacity and goals.
We also talk about the OASIS program, which extends this approach across disciplines, bringing in nurses, pharmacists, and social workers to create a more coordinated experience for patients. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Dale shares real examples and lessons from the field, showing how geriatric oncology can improve not just outcomes, but the entire care process.
Episode Highlights:
- A fresh look at what defines “fitness” for cancer treatment — and why age alone isn’t enough
- How SoCare creates space for longer, more thoughtful patient conversations
- Practical examples of tailoring chemotherapy, transplant, and CAR T plans for older adults
- Insights into building trust with patients and providers through individualized care
About Our Guest
Dr. William Dale is a geriatrician who is board-certified in hospice and palliative medicine with a Ph.D. in health policy. He serves as Professor and Vice Chair of Academic Affairs and the George Tsai Family Chair in Geriatric Oncology in Honor of Arti Hurria at City of Hope. A Paul Beeson Scholar, his career is devoted to cancer care for older adults with cancer, with a focus on medical decision-making, high-value care models, and quality of life in older adults with cancer. In 2006, he established the award-winning Specialized Oncology Care & Research in the Elders (SOCARE) clinic, a geriatric clinic embedded in oncology, offering interdisciplinary, individualized, and integrated treatment for older adults with cancer. He is a national leader in geriatric oncology, with over 250 publications, and supported by funding from NIH (NIA, NCI), American Cancer Society, and the Rising Tide Foundation. He is co-lead of the Cancer & Aging Research Group (CARG; mycarg.org), the largest organization of its kind in North America. He is the lead PI, along with Co-PIs, Drs. Supriya Mohile and Heidi Klepin, on an R33 NIA grant, Geriatric Oncology Research Infrastructure to Improve Clinical Care. He has also served for over 5 years as the Director of the Center for Cancer and Aging at City of Hope, succeeding founding director, Dr. Arti Hurria.
Additional Resources
City of Hope – Center for Cancer and Aging: cityofhope.org
ASCO Geriatric Oncology Guidelines: asco.org