The Older Adult Oncology Program currently new patients over the age of 64 who are candidates for surgery within the GI clinic.
Nathaniel Fountain had a persistent case of the hiccups. Everyone experiences hiccups but there was something out of the ordinary about these, so he decided to get checked out. And it’s a good thing he did because after a second opinion at Roswell Park, Nate was told he had lung cancer.
The process was smooth, and he experienced very little pain after surgery. But some complications with fluid building up after surgery revealed more devastating news: Nate also had pancreatic cancer. By this time, Nate had lost strength and was not healthy enough to undergo surgery — which he needed to save his life.
“I wouldn’t go any other place than Roswell Park,” Nate said, describing his care as nothing short of “impeccable.”
Thankfully, donations to Roswell Park created a pilot program tailored to patients like Nate: the Older Adult Oncology Program. This personalized approach connects older patients with the exact resources, programs and care they might need based on their diagnosis, overall health, support system and personal preferences.
Personalized Pilot Program
The Older Adult Oncology Program is run by Desi Carozza, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology in the Department of Supportive and Palliative Care and supported by Sarah Huss, RN, Oncology Nurse Coordinator. Currently, the pilot engages new patients over the age of 64 who are candidates for surgery within the GI clinic.
“Age is a number, but aging is a process,” Dr. Carozza explained. She shared that 70% of all cancer patients are 65 years of age or older. “We need to stage the ageing in the same way we’re staging the cancer to provide the best care for patients and think about each individual person and the things they bring to the table. Just because someone is a certain age doesn’t tell me anything about them. I don’t treat numbers, I treat people.”
This effort began in late 2023 and took off in earnest in early 2024. Sarah screens 20 to 30 new patients each month to identify vulnerabilities and connect them with the appropriate resources to fit their needs. Dr. Carozza oversees the program and guides patients and care teams through an older patient’s cancer experience.
“Roswell Park is revolutionizing the way we deliver these services by getting upfront assessments and really meeting people at the door with the support that will help make their cancer journey successful,” said Dr. Carozza. “I want to make sure that we are honoring people and maintaining their dignity, their mobility and their independence.”
“The success of this program lends its purpose to a team of people,” Sarah explained. “It’s not just me talking to the patient. It’s not just the surgeon. For Nathaniel, the reason he was successful is because we have him, we had his family, he had his nurse at home, me, Dr. Carozza, the surgeon, the medical oncologist, the physical therapist. We were all able to work together collaboratively to support the efforts of this patient.”
Nate’s Journey Back to Health
Nate had the motivation and the mental fortitude to beat cancer. What he needed was physical strength. Dr. Carozza and Sarah connected Nate with nutrition recommendations and physical therapy to improve his health and build up his strength.
Within two months, Nate was ready for surgery. Another successful surgery with minimal pain, he said. After a few rounds of chemo post-surgery, Nate finally got some incredible news at age 84: The cancer was completely gone!
“I could have just fallen to my knees and cried,” he said about hearing that he was free from cancer. “The man above, I guess he’s not finished with me yet. I was so relieved; my family was so relieved. Roswell Park saved my life.”
Supporting Older Adults
“The goal of this program is to make Roswell Park a premier destination cancer center for the older adult,” Dr. Carozza said.
Thanks to donors like you, patients like Nate can live full lives and enjoy every moment with their loved ones. Cancer doesn’t have to take that from them when they have appropriate support and plenty of options before them.
Thinking about life after cancer Nate said, “I’m just ready for it all.”
Editor’s Note: Cancer patient outcomes and experiences may vary, even for those with the same type of cancer. An individual patient’s story should not be used as a prediction of how another patient will respond to treatment. Roswell Park is transparent about the survival rates of our patients as compared to national standards, and provides this information, when available, within the cancer type sections of this website.