Preferences for surrogate designation and decision-making process in older versus younger adults with cancer: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Objective: To compare the preferences of older (≥70 years old) versus younger (<70 years old) cancer patients regarding surrogate designation and decision making.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey. Patient characteristics and information about surrogacy and involvement in decision making were collected.

Preferences about information and decision-making among older patients with and without cancer.

Background: information of older patients with cancer is crucial to ensure optimal care.

Objectives: to compare older patients with and without cancer regarding their preferences about medical information, decision-making and surrogate designation.

Design: an intention-to-act questionnaire was completed by patients ≥70 y enroled in the ELderly CAncer PAtients cohort between January and June 2013 and by patients in the same age group enroled in a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2005 in acute geriatric wards.