Economic Hardship and Associated Factors of Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Prior to Chemotherapy Initiation.

Introduction: Economic hardship (EH) can negatively influence cancer outcomes. Little is known about the factors that are associated with higher levels of EH among patients with breast cancer (BC). This paper describes EH in women with early-stage BC prior to or at their first chemotherapy treatment (baseline) and explores whether there are differences by race, area deprivation, stress, symptom distress, and social support.

Factors influencing prostate cancer treatment decisions for African American and white men.

Background: Prostate cancer racial disparities in mortality outcomes are the largest in all of oncology, and less aggressive treatment received by African American (AA) patients versus white patients is likely a contributing factor. However, the reasons underlying the differences in treatment are unclear.

Methods: This study examined a prospective, population-based cohort of 1170 men with newly diagnosed nonmetastatic prostate cancer enrolled from 2011 to 2013 before treatment throughout North Carolina.

Patient-reported outcomes in cancer survivorship.

There are currently 33 million cancer survivors worldwide. With improvements in early cancer detection and treatments, patients are living longer - and it is well-recognized that many survivors develop short- and long-term physical, psychosocial and spiritual effects as a result of their diagnoses and treatments. There is increasing awareness of the importance of using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to accurately assess these effects in cancer survivors.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in older patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective: Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. It is a common finding in older patients and is associated with decreased life expectancy and potentially higher susceptibility to chemotherapy toxicity. This study describes the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults with early stage colorectal cancer.

Geriatric assessment-identified deficits in older cancer patients with normal performance status.

Background: We investigated whether a brief geriatric assessment (GA) would identify important patient deficits that could affect treatment tolerance and care outcomes within a sample of older cancer patients rated as functionally normal (80%-100%) on the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scale.

Methods: Cancer patients aged ≥65 years were assessed using a brief GA that included both professionally and patient-scored KPS and measures of comorbidity, polypharmacy, cognition, function, nutrition, and psychosocial status. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression.

Feasibility of geriatric assessment in community oncology clinics.

Objective: Emerging results support the value of geriatric assessment (GA) in determining the risk and benefits of cancer treatment in older adults. A brief GA tool consisting of valid and reliable measures has been developed; however, little data exist on the ability to perform the GA in community oncology clinics. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of performing the GA in the community.

Effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy on markers of molecular age in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Senescent cells, which express p16 (INK4a) , accumulate with aging and contribute to age-related pathology. To understand whether cytotoxic agents promote molecular aging, we measured expression of p16 (INK4a) and other senescence markers in breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Blood and clinical information were prospectively obtained from 33 women with stage I to III breast cancer at four time points: before anthracycline-based chemotherapy, immediately after anthracycline-based chemotherapy, 3 months after anthracycline-based chemotherapy, and 12 months after anthracycline-based chemotherapy.