| Abstract: | The majority of cancers affect older persons disproportionately and the probability of developing cancer increases dramatically with age. We compared psychological and functional adaptation as well as psychosocial coping resources and service use between two age cohorts: patients under 65 and patienis 65 and over with a diagnosis of breast, colorectal or lung cancer. Older patients were not seriously disadvantaged in terms of adaptation or coping resources, although results suggest that they may be underutilizers of supportive community services. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. |
