Having surgery for cancer when you are 55 years old or older may pose post-operative health risks. While people 75 and over were the highest risk group, people 55 and older also have health issues after surgery.  “Overall, almost one in 10 adults age 55 and older had at least one post-operative issue like delirium, dehydration, falls, fractures, pressure ulcers or unusual weight loss, the study of nearly 1 million cancer surgery patients found. These setbacks were even more common when patients were at least 65 years old…But the odds were worst for people over 75 – about 46 percent of them had at least one complication…Complications were most likely when patients were having surgery for cancers of the bladder, ovary, colon, rectum, pancreas or stomach.” While many of the issues can be treated, the study may assist both doctors and their patients to make an informed decision on whether or not surgery is the best option