This presentation explores the impact of multimorbidity—defined as the coexistence of multiple chronic conditions—on cancer outcomes and emphasises the critical role of primary care in managing these chronic conditions. It begins with an introduction to the concept of multimorbidity and its prevalence among cancer patients, particularly highlighting that nearly 70% of older cancer patients (65+) in Australia experience multimorbidity.
The presentation then delves into the specific ways in which conditions like diabetes and obesity can complicate cancer treatments.
It illustrates the practical challenges and increased mortality risk, associated with multimorbidity. It discusses how lifestyle related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mental health disorders, to name a few, can increase the risk of cancer treatment related complications such as treatment dosing and increased toxicity, playing a role in poor cancer outcomes and prognoses.
Primary care’s pivotal role in managing multimorbidity is highlighted, showcasing strategies such as regular monitoring, individualised care plans, and lifestyle interventions. The importance of multidisciplinary collaboration between primary care providers, oncologists, as well as nursing and allied health professionals is emphasised to ensure comprehensive care. Barriers and challenges, including systemic issues like resource limitations and patient-specific factors like low health literacy, are acknowledged, alongside proposed solutions like better integration of care and the use of digital health tools and technological advancements.
In summary, general practice is becoming increasingly complex with multimorbidity the norm, rather than the exception. The presentation is calling to bridge the gap between primary care physicians and specialists care, nursing services, pharmacists, allied health professionals and researchers. We can collectively strive to identify multimorbidity as a modifiable risk factor in order to improve cancer outcomes, advocating for a holistic and coordinated approach to patient care.