Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

“Is it because I'm getting older or is it because I've got cancer?” – Experiences and perceptions of cancer care for an older adult with cancer (#295)

Sharon He 1 2 , Heather Shepherd 3 , Meera Agar 4 , Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell 1 2 , Joanne Shaw 1 2
  1. School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  2. Psycho-oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  3. Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
  4. Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation (IMPACCT), Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia

Aims

Cancer is more common in older Australians. However, little is known about the cancer care experiences of older people. This study aimed to qualitatively explore the experiences and perceptions of older adults with cancer and caregivers on the impact of aging on treatment decision-making and their cancer care.

Methods

Self-identified older adults with cancer and caregivers completed a brief online survey and participated in a semi-structured telephone interview exploring their perceptions and experiences of treatment decision-making and cancer care. Thematic analysis using a framework approach identified key themes.

Results

Nineteen older adults with cancer and eight caregivers participated. Patient participants had a mean age of 74 years (range 66–90 years), most were diagnosed with blood (n=9) or breast (n=8) cancer, and had a mean time of 6 years since initial diagnosis. Majority of caregivers were female (n=7), providing care for their spouse/partner (n=5), with a mean age of 63 years (range 44–73 years). Thematic analysis identified three themes: 1) Intersectionality between cancer and aging: patient’s views on the impact of age and fitness in treatment decisions, and relationship between receiving a cancer diagnosis and referral to age-related (non-cancer) support, 2) Factors influencing treatment acceptance: trust in clinician and participants’ valuing survival and length of remaining life not just quality of life when making treatment decisions, and 3) Role of the caregiver, including their capacity to provide care.

Conclusion

This study provides insight into the impact of age on cancer care for older adults and questions the underlying assumptions we have when considering who an “older” adult is. This study also highlights the importance of support for caregivers, especially for older caregivers.