Abstract
Introduction
Aging-related concerns can increase the risk of treatment toxicities among older adults
considering adjuvant chemotherapy. We previously demonstrated that older adults with
cancer who reported feeling older than their chronological age (i.e., self-perceived
age) were more likely to have aging-related concerns identified during a geriatric
assessment. We explored how decisions about adjuvant chemotherapy vary with or are
related to older adults' self-perceived age.
Materials and Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of a multi-phased feasibility pilot using semi-structured
interviews that were conducted to explore the patient decision-making process for
adjuvant chemotherapy. Interviews incorporated questions about chronological and perceived
age as factors for decision-making. Patient eligibility for the study included (1)
age ≥ 70 years and older, (2) a diagnosis of breast, colon, or lung cancer and considering
adjuvant chemotherapy, and (3) able to read size 18 font in English. Interview data
were analyzed using constant comparative method.
Results
Twenty-one patients were enrolled. The mean chronological age was 78 years (range
71–91). The average perceived age of patients was 57 years (range 21–80). Eleven patients
chose to receive treatment while ten patients did not. Aging-related themes illustrated
that self-perceived age plays an important role when patients make decisions about
adjuvant chemotherapy. More specifically, patients who reported their self-perceived
age as younger than their chronological age also reported better perceived health
status and chose to receive adjuvant chemotherapy.
Discussion
Patients' experiences of aging and self-perceived age may have different implications
for decision-making.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 20, 2023
Accepted:
January 12,
2023
Received in revised form:
November 21,
2022
Received:
June 22,
2022
Footnotes
☆These data were previously presented at the International Society of Geriatric Oncology meeting in 2019.
Identification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
