14 Oct 2025
12:30pm-2:00pm

Room 403, 4/F, 3 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam

Assessment and Management of Older Patients with Cancer: a Multidisciplinary Team Approach with Integration of Interprofessional Education

Cancer is primarily a disease of elder adults. Over half of the cancer patients are over 65. Managing this patient group is challenging. Older patients are at a higher risk of toxicity from anti-cancer treatment due to comorbidities, nutritional status, preserved organ function and social support as compared to younger patients.

Health-care professionals of different disciplines, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, physiotherapists, all need to be well prepared to take care of the older populations. Different international organizations have recommended comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for older patients with cancer. CGA is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary evaluation of older patients’ general health status and functional, cognitive, social and psychological parameters. It can help to identify vulnerabilities or geriatric impairments that are not routinely captured in oncology assessments to guide communications, decision-making, and management. The assessment usually involves multidisciplinary teams including physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and psychologists.

Although different international guidelines, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have suggested putting geriatric oncology as an essential topic in the medical curriculum, teaching is not widespread or standard. This project aims to develop e-learning materials with integration into Interprofessional Education to let students (MBBS, nursing, pharmacy, traditional Chinese medicine, social work, food and nutrition, physiotherapy) understand the basic principles in geriatric oncology, learn skills to assess frailty and functioning to maximize patients’ quality of life, and develop team working skills to provide care in a multidisciplinary team

Faith and Social Bonds – Measuring the Impact on Cancer Survival

Medical professionals often focus on biological and pharmacological interventions, but the psychosocial dimensions of cancer care—such as community, education, and spiritual engagement—also play a crucial role in survival. This session will explore how integrating social and religious engagement into holistic care models can enhance patient outcomes. Drawing from a large population study, this presentation examines the impact of social and religious participation on survival outcomes in breast and prostate cancer patients. By quantifying these protective effects, this research sheds light on the role of psychosocial factors in long-term cancer survivorship.

All HKU colleagues and students are welcome.

Dr. Wendy CHAN
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Oncology, HKU

Dr. CHAN is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Oncology at The University of Hong Kong. She serves as the Hong Kong SAR National Representative for the International Society of Geriatric Oncology (SIOG) and is actively engaged in advancing research in geriatric oncology.

Recognizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to geriatric oncology, Dr. Chan initiated and organized multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings at Queen Mary Hospital, bringing together oncologists, geriatricians, and nurses to foster collaboration and improve patient care. She obtained her fellowship from the Royal College of Radiologists in Clinical Oncology and the Hong Kong College of Radiologists. Following her fellowship, she pursued further specialization, earning an MSc in Palliative Medicine from Cardiff University, UK.

In addition to her clinical and research endeavors, Dr. Chan is deeply involved in medical education, contributing to the training of both medical students and nurses. Her research focuses on geriatric oncology and palliative care, and she has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals while presenting her findings at numerous local and international cancer conferences.

Ms. Yan YU
PhD Student, HKU

Ms. Yan YU is an alumna of Warwick Business School (MSc in Management Science and Operation Research, with Distinction) in the U.K. and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Hong Kong (MA in Theology, MTh in Old Testament). Currently a second-year PhD student at HKUMed, her research bridges faith, spirituality, and cancer survivorship, informed by her own journey as a recent cancer survivor, to explore interdisciplinary approaches to patient care.

Before academia, Yan spent 14 years as a derivatives trader on Wall Street, holding roles at Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and Merrill Lynch across London, New York, Moscow and Hong Kong. A serial entrepreneur and tech investor, Yan co-founded a Medical AI startup in Hong Kong’s Cyberport tech hub.

In 2018, she transitioned from finance to pursue theological training, later serving as a visiting lecturer in Biblical Hebrew and Hebrew Bible and as a Pastor. Her unique journey reflects her commitment to integrating diverse fields to address complex human challenges.

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