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).

Cost-Utility Analysis of Geriatric Assessment and Management in Older Adults With Cancer: Economic Evaluation Within 5C Trial.

Purpose: Geriatric assessment (GA) is a guideline-recommended approach to optimize cancer management in older adults. We conducted a cost-utility analysis alongside the 5C randomized controlled trial to compare GA and management (GAM) plus usual care (UC) against UC alone in older adults with cancer.

Methods: The economic evaluation, conducted from societal and health care payer perspectives, used a 12-month time horizon.

Implementing geriatric assessment and management for older Canadians with cancer: Adherence to and satisfaction with the intervention, results of the 5C study.

Introduction: Geriatric assessment and management (GAM) is recommended by professional organizations and recently several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated benefits in multiple health outcomes. GAM typically leads to one or more recommendations for the older adult on how to optimize their health. However, little is known about how well recommendations are adhered to.

Predictors and effects of toxicity experienced by older adults with cancer receiving systemic therapy in a randomized clinical trial of geriatric assessment.

Introduction: Older adults represent a large segment of the oncology population, however, they remain underrepresented in clinical research. Treatment of older adults is often extrapolated using data from younger and fitter patients, which may not be appropriate. Furthermore the implications of toxicity from treatment can be greater for this population.

Relationship between income and concerns about physical changes and help-seeking by older adult cancer survivors: a secondary analysis.

Objective: Globally, the number of older adults surviving cancer is anticipated to grow rapidly over the next decades. Cancer and its treatment can leave survivors with a myriad of challenges including physical changes which impact independence and quality of life. This project explored the relationship of income level with concerns and help-seeking for physical changes following treatment in older Canadian survivors of cancer.

Impact of Geriatric Assessment and Management on Quality of Life, Unplanned Hospitalizations, Toxicity, and Survival for Older Adults With Cancer: The Randomized 5C Trial.

Purpose: American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that older adults with cancer being considered for chemotherapy receive geriatric assessment (GA) and management (GAM), but few randomized controlled trials have examined its impact on quality of life (QOL).

Patients And Methods: The 5C study was a two-group parallel 1:1 single-blind multicenter randomized controlled trial of GAM for 6 months versus usual oncologic care. Eligible patients were age 70+ years, diagnosed with a solid tumor, lymphoma, or myeloma, referred for first-/second-line chemotherapy or immunotherapy or targeted therapy, and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2.

Challenges of Survivorship for Older Adults Diagnosed with Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this brief review is to highlight significant recent developments in survivorship research and care of older adults following cancer treatment. The aim is to provide insight into care and support needs of older adults during cancer survivorship as well as directions for future research.

Recent Findings: The numbers of older adult cancer survivors are increasing globally.

Exploring the relationships between income and emotional/practical concerns and help-seeking by older adult cancer survivors: A secondary analysis.

Purpose: The number of older cancer survivors is growing rapidly and expected to double through the next decade. Survivors can face challenges from treatment as well as other co-morbid conditions which may influence quality of living and generate distress. Understanding more about factors influencing whether older cancer survivors receive the help they desire is important for cancer program planning.

The Role of Family Caregivers in the Care of Older Adults with Cancer.

Objectives: To provide an overview on the role of family caregivers (FCGs) in the care of older adults with cancer and review quality of life needs for FCGs.

Data Sources: Journal articles, research reports, state of the science papers, position papers, and clinical guidelines from professional organizations were used.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of multiple comorbidities and the associated burden of geriatric events in older adults have a substantial impact on the quality of life of their FCGs.

Cancer survivors 75 years and older: physical, emotional and practical needs.

Objectives: To describe physical, emotional and practical concerns and access to help of Canadian cancer survivors aged 75+ years following treatment.

Methods: A survey was designed to identify concerns and access to help across three supportive care domains for cancer survivors 1-3 years post-treatment. Random samples were drawn from 10 provincial cancer registries.

A survey of nurses' experience integrating oncology clinical and academic worlds.

Aim: To better understand how oncology nurses (a) navigate graduate studies; (b) perceive the impact of their academic work on their clinical practice, and vice versa; and (c) engage with clinical settings following graduate work.

Design: Interpretive descriptive cross-sectional survey.

Methods: A qualitative exploratory web-based survey exploring integration of graduate studies and clinical nursing practice.

Measuring quality of life in older people with cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The number of individuals aged 65+ with cancer will double in the next decade. Attention to quality of life (QOL) is imperative to identify relevant endpoints/outcomes in research and provide care that matches individual needs. This review summarizes recent publications regarding QOL measurement in older adults with cancer, considering implications for research and practice.

Main challenges in survivorship transitions: Perspectives of older adults with cancer.

Objectives: To describe main challenges experienced by older adults (75+ years) following primary cancer treatment as a basis for development of age-appropriate survivorship care.

Material And Methods: A national survey was conducted across ten Canadian provinces to identify experiences with follow-up for cancer survivors one to three years post-treatment. The survey included open-ended questions for respondents to add details that offered deeper insight into their experiences.

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.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: A Case Report on Personalizing Cancer Care of an Older Adult Patient With Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: Understanding multidimensional screening and assessment is key to optimizing cancer care in older adults.

Objectives: This article aims to present comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) as an approach to personalizing care for older adults with cancer.

Methods: A case study of an 89-year-old man with head and neck cancer is presented as a framework to describe the process of CGA and an overview of geriatric oncology screening and assessment.

Never too old to learn new tricks: Surveying Canadian healthcare professionals about learning needs in caring for older adults with cancer.

Introduction: The number of older adults with cancer is growing but little is known about healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perceptions of their readiness to care for older adults with cancer. The Canadian Network on Aging and Cancer together with the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology, Oncology and Aging Special Interest Group, conducted a survey to assess geriatric oncology learning needs of Canadian HCPs and explore any differences in needs between nurses and physicians.

Methods: An online survey was distributed to Canadian HCP, which assessed respondent confidence and desire to learn about domains related to geriatric oncology, current clinical practice and sociodemographic information.

Building and sustaining a postgraduate student network: The experience of oncology nurses in Canada.

Networking with individuals on a similar journey through graduate studies has been identified as an important influence in the experience of doctoral and postdoctoral students. Through the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology/Association canadienne des infirmières en oncologie (CANO/ACIO), student members were encouraged to establish a Doctoral Student Network (DSN) that would enable a connection through education and common interest in oncology and cancer care. Since its inception, the DSN has been dynamic in how it has addressed the evolving needs of members and in providing development opportunities to group members.