When it comes to the vulnerabilities of age, patients deserve sympathetic oversight, not turning a blind eye

‘In the case of my older patients, it may be prudent to avoid aggressive surgery but consider treatments not strictly curative but distinctly better for quality of life.’ Photograph: Sean Prior/Alamy

A colleague calls me about an octogenarian patient scheduled for cancer surgery.

That patient has been “cleared” by anaesthetics and the medical team promises “support” but, despite the reassurances, I can see why the surgeon has her doubts. The patient has several health problems that, taken together, amount to significant impairment. For such patients, even small complications can spell big trouble.