Change in Quality of Life after a Cancer Diagnosis among a Nationally Representative Cohort of Older Adults in the US. (9th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schwartz, Rebecca M.; Ornstein, Katherine A.; Liu, Bian; Alpert, Naomi; Bevilacqua, Kristin G.; Taioli, Emanuela
• Is Part Of: Cancer investigation. Volume 37:Number 7(2019)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2019-08-09
• Subjects: Neoplasms -- quality of life -- aging -- mental health; Cancer -- Periodicals; Oncology -- Periodicals; Medical Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2019.1645160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0735-7907

Abstract

Abstract: Age-related decreases in Quality of Life (QoL) are often compounded by comorbidities, including cancer. This study aimed to examine QoL changes before and after a new cancer diagnosis using data from the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS), linked to Medicare claims ( N = 136). There was a significant increase in the relative odds of fair/poor self-reported health and needing help with Activities of Daily Living. There was also a marginal increase in depression, but no change in anxiety or pain scores. Results underscore importance of considering pre-cancer QoL when making treatment decisions for older adult cancer patients.