Improving Communication in Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Adult Solid Neoplasm, Lymphoma

In brief

Over 60% of cancers occur in older persons, and the number of older persons with cancer is expected to grow as the population ages. Oncology clinical trials have traditionally excluded older patients with advanced cancer and chronic health conditions. In this context, where data is limited and risk from treatment is high, older patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers must understand how cancer treatment can affect quality of life in light of underlying health status. Better communication about age-related health conditions between oncologists, older patients with advanced cancer, and their caregivers may improve decision-making for cancer treatment and quality of life. A geriatric assessment (GA), a validated set of patient-centered outcomes, has been shown to identify concerns (e.g., function, cognition) important to older persons with cancer and their caregivers. In this cluster randomized clinical trial we examined whether providing a web-generated GA summary with targeted recommendations to older patients with advanced cancer, their caregivers, and their oncologists can improve communication about age-related concerns that could affect efficacy and tolerance of cancer treatment. We also determined whether the intervention improves patient-reported quality of life and patient and caregiver satisfaction.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT02107443
Run by
Supriya Mohile
People needed
546
Starts
2014-10-27
Expected to finish
2020-09-01
Last updated by the study team
2024-04-12

Who can join

Age: 70 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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