Interventions for older people having cancer treatment: A scoping review

Necessity and influencing factors for integrating oral health in cancer care for older people: a narrative review

PURPOSE

The number of older people with poor oral health diagnosed with cancer is increasing rapidly. However, integration of oral health in cancer care for older people to prevent or minimize oral health complications of cancer treatments is uncommon, except in head and neck oncology. The aim of this review is to describe the need, role of, and factors influencing the integration of oral health(care) into the treatment of older people with cancer.

METHODS

MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for papers published in the last 10 years that focus on oral health in older people diagnosed with cancer, the impact of oral health on cancer therapy, and integrated oral health in cancer treatment.

RESULTS

From 523 related papers, 68 publications were included and summarized as follows: (1) oral complications associated with cancer therapies, (2) the need for oral healthcare in older people with cancer, (3) the role of integration of oral health in cancer care, and (4) influencing factors such as ageism, interprofessional education and collaborations, oral healthcare workforce, oral health literacy, and financial considerations.

CONCLUSION

Integration of oral healthcare is highly recommended for the overall well-being of older people with cancer to prevent, minimize, and manage complications in cancer treatment. However, oral healthcare has not been integrated in cancer care yet, except for head and neck cancers. This review identified a notable gap in the literature, highlighting the need for research on integration of oral healthcare in geriatric oncology.

A Retrospective Age Analysis of the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey: Differences in Satisfaction across Dimensions of Person-Centred Care and Unmet Needs among Older Adults Receiving Cancer Treatment

Over half of all new cancer cases in Alberta are diagnosed among people aged 65+ years, a group that encompasses vast variation. Patient-reported experience measures are routinely collected within Cancer Care Alberta; however, the specific consideration of the needs and concerns of older Albertans with cancer is lacking. In 2021, 2204 adults who had received treatment at a cancer centre in Alberta completed the Ambulatory Oncology Patient Satisfaction Survey (AOPSS). In this study, we explored the age differences in satisfaction across six dimensions of person-centred care and in the proportions of unmet needs across eight types of issues, with specific attention to older adults. Using three age groups (18-39, 40-64, 65+), only the physical comfort dimension showed significantly lower satisfaction among those aged 65+ years. Using five age groups (18-39, 40-64, 65-74, 75-84, 85+), significantly lower levels of satisfaction were found related to 'physical comfort' for those aged 65-74 and 75-84, 'coordination and continuity of care' for those aged 75-84 and 85+, and 'information, communication, and education' for those aged 85+. Therefore, grouping together all older adults aged 65+ years obscured lower levels of satisfaction with some dimensions of person-centred care among those aged 75-84 and 85+ years. Unmet needs generally increased with age for all types of issues, with significant differences across age groups for emotional, financial, social/family, and sexual health issues. The lower levels of satisfaction and higher proportions of unmet needs call for tailored interventions to promote optimal care experiences and outcomes among older adults receiving cancer care in Alberta and their families.

Cancer Prevalence Projections in Japan and Decomposition Analysis of Changes in Cancer Burden, 2020-2050: A Statistical Modeling Study

BACKGROUND

We provide comprehensive sex-stratified projections of cancer prevalence for 22 cancer sites in Japan from 2020 to 2050.

METHODS

Using a scenario-based approach, we projected cancer prevalence by combining projected incidence cases and survival probabilities. Age-specific incidences were forecasted using age-period-cohort models, while survival rates were estimated using a period-analysis approach and multiple parametric survival models. To understand changes in cancer prevalence, decomposition analysis was conducted, assessing the contributions of incidence, survival, and population demographics.

RESULTS

By 2050, cancer prevalence in Japan is projected to reach 3,665,900 (3,210,200 to 4,201,400) thousand cases, representing a 13.1% increase from 2020. This rise is primarily due to a significant increase in female survivors (+27.6%) compared with a modest increase in males (+0.8%), resulting in females overtaking males in prevalence counts from 2040 onward. In 2050, the projected most prevalent cancer sites in Japan include colorectal, female breast, prostate, lung, and stomach cancers, accounting for 66.4% of all survivors. Among males, the highest absolute increases in prevalence are projected for prostate, lung, and malignant lymphoma cancers, while among females, the highest absolute increases are expected for female breast, colorectal, and corpus uteri cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings emphasize the evolving cancer prevalence, influenced by aging populations, changes in cancer incidence rates, and improved survival. Effective prevention, detection, and treatment strategies are crucial to address the growing cancer burden.

IMPACT

This study contributes to comprehensive cancer control strategies and ensures sufficient support for cancer survivors in Japan.

New horizons in managing older cancer survivors: complexities and opportunities

Older adults represent a growing population amongst cancer survivors who require specific consideration given the complex and largely unknown interactions between cancer-related concerns and age-related conditions. The increasing use of geriatric assessment (GA) has enabled oncologists to appropriately assess older patients' overall health status, personalise anti-cancer treatment and improve survival. However, whilst current research and practice focus on improving the management of older adults with cancer in the acute setting, the progress in the field of survivorship research in geriatric oncology is lagging. As cancer survivorship is a continuum, planning for a healthy survivorship should start at the time of cancer diagnosis. GA can play an important role in identifying potential survivorship issues and optimising delivery of survivorship care. A goal-directed, patient-focused geriatric survivorship care plan that involves a multidisciplinary team provides a framework for a personalised delivery of survivorship care in this patient group and there is a need for tailored interventions that support self-management and care integration. Research on the impact of cancer and its treatment on geriatric-specific outcomes needs to be prioritised through global initiatives to encompass a diverse and heterogenous population of adult cancer survivors.

Long-Term Projections of Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Japan and Decomposition Analysis of Changes in Cancer Burden, 2020-2054: An Empirical Validation Approach

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to project new cancer cases/deaths forward to 2054, and decompose changes in cancer cases/deaths to assess the impact of demographic transitions on cancer burden.

METHODS

We collected data on cancer cases/deaths up to 2019, empirically validated the projection performance of multiple statistical models, and selected optimal models by applying time series cross-validation.

RESULTS

We showed an increasing number of new cancer cases but decreasing number of cancer deaths in both genders, with a large burden attributed to population aging. We observed the increasing incidence rates in most cancer sites but reducing rates in some infection-associated cancers, including stomach and liver cancers. Colorectal and lung cancers were projected to remain as leading cancer burdens of both incidence and mortality in Japan over 2020-2054, while prostate and female breast cancers would be the leading incidence burdens among men and women, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from decomposition analysis require more supportive interventions for reducing mortality and improving the quality of life of Japanese elders. We emphasize the important role of governments and policymakers in reforming policies for controlling cancer risk factors, including oncogenic infections. The rapid increase and continued presence of those cancer burdens associated with modifiable risk factors warrant greater efforts in cancer control programs, specifically in enhancing cancer screening and controlling cancer risk factors in Japan.

Understanding the cultural environment of the outpatient care setting for patients with dementia receiving cancer treatment: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

People with dementia have poorer cancer outcomes than those without dementia, and experience inequalities in access to, and quality of, care. Outpatient environments, where radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy cancer treatments typically take place, have largely been excluded from research. This study was conducted to understand provision of treatment and support and experiences of care for people with dementia undergoing cancer treatment in the outpatient setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using observation, interviews and document analysis, data were collected to scrutinize the cultural environment of ambulatory care, comprising the physical fabric of the care setting; interactions, behaviours and perceptions of those in the care setting; and the organizational, clinical and interactional processes involved in care delivery. The study was conducted in the outpatient oncology departments of two large teaching hospitals in England between January 2019 and July 2021.

RESULTS

Data were gathered from a wide range of sources, including 15 h of observation, and interviews with patients (n = 2), caregivers (n = 7) and staff (n = 20). Evidence from this study suggests that the cultural environment of the outpatient care setting reflects and supports the standardized processing of people for cancer treatment. Dementia introduces a wider set of care requirements not catered for by this standardized treatment model and associated processes. Data showed that the needs of patients with dementia could be addressed most effectively when individualized care, as opposed to standardized care, was offered.

CONCLUSION

There is work to be done in outpatient cancer services to ensure responsiveness to individual patient need. This could be achieved by having an established way (or ways) of eliciting needs, preferences and expectations, a belief that a person's needs and expectations are legitimate and that effort should be made to address them, with the ability to accommodate these needs and expectations.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

Patients and caregivers were involved in the study design and development of study materials including the interview topic guide. They also assisted with discussion and clarification of study findings.

Characteristics and general practice resource use of people with comorbid cancer and dementia in England: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Background

Cancer and dementia are common in older people and management of the conditions as comorbidities can be challenging, yet little is known about the size or characteristics of this group. We aimed to estimate the prevalence, characteristics and general practice resource usage of people living with both conditions in England.

Methods

Anonymised electronic healthcare records from 391 National Health Service general practices across England using the TPP SystmOne general practice system were obtained from ResearchOne. Data included demographic and clinical characteristics, and general practice healthcare useage (appointments, prescriptions, referrals and secondary care contacts) for people aged 50 and over with a cancer and/or dementia diagnosis consistent with the Quality and Outcomes Framework between 2005 and 2016. Multi-level negative binomial regression was used to analyse the association between having cancer and/or dementia and the number of general practice appointments.

Results

Data from 162,371 people with cancer and/or dementia were analysed; 3616 (2.2%) people were identified as having comorbid cancer and dementia. Of people with cancer, 3.1% also had dementia, rising to 7.5% (1 in 13 people) in those aged 75 and over. Fewer people with both conditions were female (50.7%) compared to those with dementia alone (65.6%) and those with comorbid cancer and dementia were older than those with cancer alone [mean ages 83 (sd = 7), 69 (sd = 12) respectively]. Those with both conditions were less likely to have lung cancer than those with cancer alone (7.5% vs. 10.3%) but more likely to have prostate cancer (20.9% vs. 15.8%). Additional comorbidities were more prevalent for those with both conditions than those with cancer or dementia alone (68.4% vs. 50.2% vs. 54.0%). In the year following the first record of either condition, people with cancer and dementia had 9% more general practice appointments (IRR:1.09, 95% CI:1.01–1.17) than those with cancer alone and 37% more appointments than those with dementia alone (IRR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.28–1.47).

Conclusions

A significant number of people are living with comorbid cancer and dementia in England. This group have additional comorbidity and higher general practice usage than those with cancer/dementia alone. The needs of this group should be considered in future general practice care planning and research.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-022-01882-w.

Engaging Older Adults With Cancer and Their Caregivers to Set Research Priorities Through Cancer and Aging Research Discussion Sessions

PURPOSE

To report on the perspectives of older adults (aged older than 65 years) with cancer and their caregivers who participated in patient-oriented research priority-setting activities called the Cancer and Aging Research Discussion Sessions.

PARTICIPANTS & SETTING

35 older adults and caregivers participated in three public meetings and follow-up interviews.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

Qualitative descriptive.

FINDINGS

There was clear consensus from participants on research priorities related to two key areas.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING

Future research should focus on addressing age-related disparities in cancer care communication and support. By capitalizing on older adults' interest in research engagement, effective solutions can be cocreated to improve cancer experiences for older adults and their caregivers.

Examining the ability of the Cancer and Aging Research Group tool to predict toxicity in older men receiving chemotherapy or androgen-receptor-targeted therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Because multiple treatments are available for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and most patients are elderly, the prediction of toxicity risk is important. The Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) tool predicts chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with mixed solid tumors, but has not been validated in mCRPC. In this study, its ability to predict toxicity risk with docetaxel chemotherapy (CHEMO) was validated, and its utility was examined in predicting toxicity risk with abiraterone or enzalutamide (A/E) among older adults with mCRPC.

METHODS

Men aged 65+ years were enrolled in a prospective observational study at 4 Canadian academic cancer centers. All clinically relevant grade 2 to 5 toxicities over the course of treatment were documented via structured interviews and chart review. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of toxicity.

RESULTS

Seventy-one men starting CHEMO (mean age, 73 years) and 104 men starting A/E (mean age, 76 years) were included. Clinically relevant grade 3+ toxicities occurred in 56% and 37% of CHEMO and A/E patients, respectively. The CARG tool was predictive of grade 3+ toxicities with CHEMO, which occurred in 36%, 67%, and 91% of low, moderate, and high-risk groups (P = .003). Similarly, grade 3+ toxicities occurred among A/E users in 23%, 48%, and 86% with low, moderate, and high CARG risk (P < .001). However, it was not predictive of grade 2 toxicities with either treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

There is external validation of the CARG tool in predicting grade 3+ toxicity in older men with mCRPC undergoing CHEMO and demonstrated utility during A/E therapy. This may aid with treatment decision-making.

Systematic review of self-management interventions for older adults with cancer

AIM

The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of self-management interventions for older adults with cancer and to determine the effective components of said interventions.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of self-management interventions for older adults (65+) with cancer guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. We conducted an exhaustive search of the following databases: Ageline, AMED, ASSIA, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, and Sociological Abstracts. We assessed for quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Down & Black for quasi-experimental studies, with data synthesized in a narrative and tabular format.

RESULTS

Sixteen thousand nine hundred and eight-five titles and abstracts were screened, subsequently 452 full-text papers were reviewed by two independent reviewers, of which 13 full-text papers were included in the final review. All self-management interventions included in this review measured Quality of Life; other outcomes included mood, self-care activity, supportive care needs, self-advocacy, pain intensity, and analgesic intake; only one intervention measured frailty. Effective interventions were delivered by a multidisciplinary teams (n = 4), nurses (n = 3), and mental health professionals (n = 1). Self-management core skills most commonly targeted included: problem solving; behavioural self-monitoring and tailoring; and settings goals and action planning.

CONCLUSIONS

Global calls to action argue for increased emphasize on self-management but presently, few interventions exist that explicitly target the self-management needs of older adults with cancer. Future work should focus on explicit pathways to support older adults and their caregivers to prepare for and engage in cancer self-management processes and behaviours.

Effects of a mixed exercise program on cancer related-fatigue and health-related quality of life in oncogeriatric patients: A feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most debilitating side effect occurring with cancer treatment accumulation. Although combining aerobic and resistance exercise is an effective strategy to counteract this side effect, there is a paucity of studies performed with older patients even if this is the most affected population. Hence, the objective was to assess the feasibility and the impact of a twelve-week exercise program performed during cancer treatment on CRF, quality of life, and physical capacity in older adults diagnosed with early-stage cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty patients with cancer (70 ± 4 years) beginning systemic cancer treatments were recruited and randomized into two groups: 1) aerobic and resistance training (MIX) and 2) stretching (CON). Both groups were supervised three times/week for a total of twelve weeks. The primary outcome was feasibility and secondary outcomes were CRF (FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire) and physical capacity (6MWT and grip strength).

RESULTS

In Mix, both exercise adherence (88.2%) and completion rate (86.6%) were high, which suggests that exercise is feasible in an oncologic context. In the MIX group, HRQoL improved (p = 0.05) and CRF was clinically, ableit non-significantly (p = 0.09), decreased. Concerning physical capacity, MIX showed a clinical improvement in the 6MWT during the intervention (p = 0.002) compared to CON.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that, in older patients with cancer undergoing adjuvant or neoadjuvant systemic treatments, a mixed exercise program is feasible, well tolerated and might help mitigate CRF and HRQoL decrements.

Navigating cancer treatment and care when living with comorbid dementia: an ethnographic study

Objectives

The risks of developing cancer and dementia increase as we age; however, this comorbidity remains relatively under-researched. This study reports on the challenges that people affected by comorbid cancer and dementia face when navigating engagement with cancer treatment within secondary care.

Materials and methods

An ethnographic study recruiting 17 people with cancer and dementia, 22 relatives and 19 oncology staff in two UK National Health Service Trusts. Observations (46 h) and informal conversations were conducted during oncology appointments involving people with dementia. Semi-structured interviews (n = 37) with people living with cancer and dementia, their relatives and staff working in various roles across oncology services were also carried out. Data were analysed using ethnographically informed thematic analysis.

Results

People with cancer and dementia experienced challenges across three areas of navigating cancer treatment and care: navigating through multiple services, appointments and layers of often complex information; repeatedly navigating transport to and from hospital; and navigating non-dementia-friendly hospital outpatient environments alongside the cognitive problems associated with dementia.

Conclusions

Dementia impacts patients’ abilities to navigate the many practical aspects of attending hospital for cancer treatment and care. This study indicates the importance of addressing ways to improve the experience of travelling to and from the hospital, alongside extending the ongoing efforts to develop ‘dementia-friendly’ hospital in-patient areas and practices, to outpatient departments. Such steps will serve to improve hospital-based cancer treatment and care and more broadly outpatient appointment experiences for people with dementia and their families.

Contemporary management of pancreas cancer in older people

As the population of western countries is aging, the number of patients diagnosed with cancer is growing. Therefore older people, more susceptible to develop pancreatic malignancy, will likely represent the prototype of a pancreatic cancer patient in the near future. Diagnostic modalities utilised for younger patients are also applicable for older individuals. There is accumulative evidence that biological age is not an independent factor predicting poor outcome in elderly patients with resectable disease undergoing surgery, however increased postoperative morbidity and mortality within the elderly group has also been reported. Adjuvant chemotherapy should be offered in all patients with good performance status regardless of their age. Palliative measures for unresectable tumours including relief from biliary and duodenal obstruction as well as chemotherapy should be considered in non-frail patients with reasonable life expectancy. Palliative chemotherapy options are FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel for patients with good performance status (0-1) and gemcitabine alone for patients with performance status 2-3. The cornerstone for improving the outcomes of the elderly age group is careful patient selection and perioperative optimization of those who have indication for surgery. Patients and their carers should be involved in the decision making process with emphasis on the expected functional recovery after the proposed treatment modality. The presence of geriatricians in the multidisciplinary team meetings is crucial in order to identify the optimal treatment pathway for elderly patients. Geriatric input regarding peri-habilitation pathways to improve surgical outcomes, to decrease mortality and to expedite patients' functional recovery is highly recommended.

Improving survivorship care: Perspectives of cancer survivors 75 years and older

PURPOSE

This work describes perspectives of older adult cancer survivors about improvements that should be considered during the early period of survivorship. Findings will be useful in program development of age-appropriate services following completion of cancer treatment for older adults.

METHODS

A national survey was conducted across ten Canadian provinces to understand follow-up experiences of cancer survivors one to three years post-treatment. The survey included open-ended questions enabling respondents to offer insight into their experiences. This publication presents analysis of responses from older adults (75+ years) about suggestions for improving survivorship care.

RESULTS

In total, 3274 older adults (75+ years) responded to the survey and 1424 responded to the question about improvements. Fifty-five percent of the older adults were male, 28% had experienced metastatic disease and 75% reported comorbid conditions. A total of 640 respondents offered 932 suggestions in the areas of service delivery (n = 763, 81.9%), support (n = 108, 11.6%), and practical assistance (n = 61, 6.5%). Improvements in information/communication (n = 291) and follow-up care (n = 180) accounted for the highest number of suggestions regarding service delivery. Thematic analysis revealed three key messages about improvement: 'offer me needed support', 'make access easy for me', and 'show me you care'.

CONCLUSION

Suggestions for improvement in survivorship care by older adults treated for cancer emphasize need for changes in the approaches taken by health care providers in interactions and organization of care delivery. Proactive provision of information, detailed schedules for follow-up care, and ease of access to post-treatment care are needed.

Protocol for a scoping review of digital health for older adults with cancer and their families

INTRODUCTION

The potential for digital medicine and healthcare in geriatric oncology settings has received much attention. This scoping review will summarise the nature and extent of the existing literature that describes and examines digital health development, implementation, evaluation, outcome and experience for older adults with cancer, their families and their healthcare providers.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Arksey and O'Malley's six stages of scoping review methodology framework will be used. Searches will be conducted in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, Embase via OvidSP, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus via EBSCO, Scopus and PsycINFO via OvidSP for published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals from year 2000 onwards. In addition, we will screen databases for all prospectively registered trials. Research articles using quantitative or qualitative study design or reviews will be included if they describe or report the design, development or usability of digital health interventions in the treatment and care of patients 65 years of age or older with cancer and their families before, during and after cancer treatment. Grey literature will not be searched and included. Two investigators will independently perform the literature search, eligibility assessments and study selection. A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram for the scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) will be used to delineate the search decision process. For included articles, the extracted results will be synthesised both quantitatively and qualitatively and reported under key conceptual categories of this scoping review. Research gaps and opportunities will be identified and summarised.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Since this review will only include published data, ethics approval will not be sought. The results of the review will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We will also engage with relevant stakeholders within research team's networks to determine suitable approaches for dissemination.

Enabling people with dementia to access and receive cancer treatment and care: The crucial role of supportive networks

OBJECTIVES

Despite cancer and dementia being conditions in which prevalence increases with age, there remains limited research on the cancer treatment and care needs of this population. Our study aimed to address this gap and this paper reports on the role of supportive networks in enabling people with dementia to access cancer treatment and care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An ethnographic study involving seventeen people with cancer and dementia, 22 relatives and nineteen oncology staff. It comprised observations (46 h) of and informal conversations during oncology appointments attended by people with dementia and their relatives and semi-structured interviews (n = 37) with people living with cancer and dementia, their relatives and staff working in various roles across oncology services. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Patients and oncology staff relied on and expected relatives to provide practical and emotional support around cancer treatment and care. Families varied in their ability to provide required support due to extent of the family network, practical issues, knowledge of the patient and their wishes, family conflict and the patient's willingness to accept help. Where no family network was available, support provision was complex and this could compromise access to cancer treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

People with comorbid cancer and dementia rely heavily on a supportive family network to access treatment and care. Oncology services need to assess the supportive networks available to individual patients in developing cancer treatment plans. Urgent consideration needs to be given to how those with no family networks can be appropriately supported.