Erin Dahlke, MD, Dermatology Resident, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Christian A. Murray, MD, FRCPC, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology, University of Toronto; Co-director of Dermatologic Surgery, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common, slow-growing malignant skin tumour that only very rarely metastasizes. The main subtypes of BCC are nodular, superficial, and sclerosing. The most important risk factors for the development of BCC include fair skin, extensive sun exposure as a child, past personal history of skin cancer, and advanced age. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human malignancy, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. There are a number of different treatm ent modalities for BCC including topical therapies, cryotherapy, electrodesiccation and curettage, surgical excision, radiotherapy, and Mohs’ micrographic surgery. Treatment should be tailored to the individual situation, and advanced age does not typically alter the management choice or reduce the expectation of an excellent outcome, including cure.
Key words: basal cell carcinoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, risk factors, epidemiology, treatment.

Victoria A. Walker, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Heather E. Whitson, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Though older adults are the segment of the population least likely to smoke, they incur significant morbidity and mortality from tobacco use and can benefit from quitting. Older smokers have beliefs regarding smoking and motivating factors for cessation that differ from younger adults. Clinicians should understand these unique factors and can then use strategies to assist the older adult in smoking cessation.
Key words: smoking cessation, tobacco, epidemiology, older adults, prevention.

Karen L. Smith, MSc, Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest and Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Carol Greenwood, PhD, Kunin Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest and Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Helene Payette, PhD, Research Center on Aging, Health & Social Services Center - University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC.
Shabbir M.H. Alibhai, MD, MSc, Division of General Internal Medicine & Clinical Epidemiology, University Health Network; Geriatric Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute; Departments of Medicine and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Unintentional weight loss is a common problem among community-dwelling older adults. Although a slight decline in body weight is considered a normal part of the aging process, clinically significant weight loss (>5% of usual body weight) has harmful consequences on functional status and quality of life, and is associated with excess mortality over a three- to twelve-month period. A variety of physical and psychological conditions, along with age-related changes, can lead to weight loss. In up to one-quarter of patients, there is no identifiable cause. A rational approach to clinical investigation of these patients can facilitate arriving at a diagnosis and minimize unnecessary diagnostic procedures.
Key words: weight loss, older adults, mortality, epidemiology, diagnosis.

Maida J. Sewitch, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, McGill University, and the Divisions of Gastroenterology and Clinical Epidemiology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC.
Caroline Fournier MSc, Research Associate, Division of Clinical Epidemiology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a commonly diagnosed cancer and a leading cause of cancer deaths in Canada and the industrialized world. According to cancer registries, incidence varies by age, geographical location, site, and time. CRC screening reduces both CRC incidence through removal of premalignant polyps and CRC deaths through early detection and treatment. Health Canada considers CRC an ideal target for mass screening of individuals 50 years of age and older. This article reviews the epidemiology of CRC and the reasoning behind the development of screening guidelines for persons 50 years of age and older. Various Canadian and U.S. guidelines are detailed. Routine screening of average-risk individuals is advocated. Finally, the review highlights trends in patient utilization of CRC screening as well as the role of screening in an aging population.
Keywords: aging, colorectal cancer, epidemiology, screening, adenomatous polyps.

Silja Majahalme, MD, PhD, FESC, Cardiologist and Clinical Hypertension Specialist, Appleton Heart Institute/Appleton Cardiology Associates, Appleton, WI, USA.

Heart failure (HF) is an increasing problem in the older adult population, specifically among women. The majority of health care expenses are generated in the last few years of life, and hospitalization for HF is one of the major medical conditions influencing the expenditure. The nature of women’s HF differs from men: coronary artery disease is the most common etiologic factor for HF in men while women more often suffer from hypertensive heart disease, which results in stiffness of the left ventricle with relaxation problems, and diastolic HF. Most commonly there is a long history of poorly controlled hypertension. In acute situations these patients often present with florid edema and congestion along with significantly elevated blood pressure levels, which are both challenging to treat. This short review covers issues related to gender differences in etiology and epidemiology of HF, and evaluates current evidence for drug therapies.
Key words: epidemiology, heart failure, gender, myocardial infarction, hypertension.

Michael A. Drebot, PhD, Chief, Viral Zoonoses, Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Harvey Artsob, PhD, Director, Zoonotic Diseases and Special Pathogens, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Since its introduction into North America in 1999, West Nile virus (WNV) has rapidly expanded its range across the continent. There is evidence that it has moved into the Caribbean and South and Central America. The virus has significantly affected public health, causing more than 20,000 cases of associated illness and resulting in the largest WNV epidemic ever recorded. Although neuroinvasive disease occurs in less than 1% of infections, the risk for encephalitis and other neurological illnesses increases with age. Currently there is no specific therapy for the treatment of WNV-associated disease and a vaccine is not yet available. Decreasing the risk of virus exposure requires seasonal preventative and control measures.
Key Words: West Nile virus, epidemiology, diagnosis, neurological illness, disease prevention.

Nadine Gagnon, MD, FRCP(C), Research Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and University Health Network, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON.
Alastair J. Flint, MB, ChB, FRCP(C), FRANZCP, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Head, Geriatric Psychiatry Program, University Health Network, Toronto, ON.

To date, researchers have addressed many aspects of falling. During the past two decades, there has been increasing interest in the phenomenon of fear of falling. This paper summarizes data pertaining to the epidemiology, assessment and management of fear of falling, as well as the relationship of fear of falling to other factors.
Key words: fear of falling, elderly, epidemiology, self-efficacy, activities of daily living.