BACKGROUND Healthcare professionals are known to be particularly susceptible to ageist stereotyping because of increased exposure to elderly and infirm individuals. Demographic changes resulting in increasing numbers of elderly people and increased cancer incidence with age make it imperative to understand oncology healthcare professionals' attitudes towards older people. METHODS A descriptive survey design was conducted, within a regional Cancer Centre, to evaluate oncology healthcare professionals' attitudes towards elderly people. The measurement scale used was Kogan's Old People Scale. RESULTS Regardless of gender, profession and clinical experience persistently negative attitudes were displayed towards elderly people. No statistically significant difference was detected between gender, profession, clinical experience or specialist education and although small in number, no large differences in scores were notable between group means. CONCLUSIONS If oncology healthcare professionals are to provide optimal treatment and care for elderly people, negative attitudes must be addressed. These results indicate the need for a radical cultural shift in attitudes, especially when considered in conjunction with changing demographics and increased cancer incidence with age.