Older adults and cancer treatment

Abstract

Approximately 60% of cancer incidence occurs in adults aged !65 years, yet older patients often are not accorded access to treatment trials. Therefore, providers remain uninformed about clinical and behavioral responses of older patients with cancer to cancer treatment. The objectives of this article were to provide a broad overview of some of the dimensions of cancer treatment in the elderly and to raise issues for behavioral research. The literature was reviewed in general for cancer treatment and specifically to address areas such as comorbidity, function, adverse events, palliation, side effects, social and psychological factors, cognition, and provider behavior. The authors address the importance of behavioral research and discuss issues for behavioral researchers in the context of cancer treatment. Few studies were identified that were specific to behavioral research.

A systematic review of unmet needs of newly diagnosed older cancer patients undergoing active cancer treatment

“…The older population is heterogeneous with regard to health, functional, psychological, social, cultural, and economical status [3]. Older persons often have other medical conditions.…”

The meaningfulness of time; Narratives of cancer among chronically ill older adults

“…Pertinent to older cancer patients, Lawton (1991) described perceived quality of life as defined through a metric — one derived from individual health status, functional capacity, and social behaviors (Given & Given, 2008; Patrick, Kinne, Engelberg, & Pearlman, 2000; Reeve et al, 2009; Stineman, Wechsler, Ross, & Maislin, 2003; Thomé, Dykes, Gunnars, & Hallberg, 2003; Wedding, Röhrig, Klippstein, Pientka, & Höffken, 2007). Aside from Lawton's paradigm, quality of life can also be negatively affected by social stigmatization felt by the chronically ill, who might isolate themselves or experience diminished social contact as a result of their illness (Choi & McDougall, 2007; Engberg et al, 2001; Holley, 2007).…”

Perceived Needs, Psychological Distress and Quality of Life of Elderly Cancer Patients

“…Nevertheless, very few studies have specifically focused on the treatment and care for elderly cancer patients, as many studies exclude elderly patients (3). Furthermore, since elderly cancer patients are physically, psychologically and socially heterogeneous in addition to differing from younger patients with regard to their physical functioning, psychological well-being, life circumstances, role demands, values and preferences, the treatment and care for elderly cancer patients is complex, especially considering individualized optimal care (1,4,5).…”

“…One of the most important risk factors for the development of cancer is aging because of which more than half of all new cancers occur in elderly people (1). In Japan, which currently has the greatest life expectancy at birth in the world (averaging 83 years for men and women), cancer has continuously been the leading cause of death since 1981, and more than one-third of Japanese people die of cancer (2).…”