Health

Age-Related Health Problems Can Impact Cancer Treatment

If you or an older adult in your life is facing a diagnosis of cancer, it’s important to know that common age-related health conditions can have an impact on your quality of life during treatment. “Certain geriatric issues come into play with older cancer patients,” explains UAB geriatrician and palliative medicine specialist Kellie Flood, MD. “It’s important for doctors to recognize and address these issues before and during cancer treatment to ensure the best possible quality of life for patients.”

Dr. Flood explains that a relatively new field of research is that of cancer survivorship. In these studies, researchers are evaluating the impact of cancer treatment on common age-related conditions such as dementia, osteoporosis, depression, and nutrition problems. “Increased recognition of these geriatric issues during treatment is the first step in improving outcomes for older cancer patients,” she adds.

Speak Up About Troublesome Symptoms during Treatment

Dr. Flood stresses that older cancer patients and their families should be vigilant about recognizing and reporting problematic symptoms that may arise during treatment, such as:

• weight loss;
• nutrition problems, including loss of appetite;
• cognitive or memory problems;
• depression.

“Many patients or families may feel these are minor issues in the setting of cancer, or they may be reluctant to bring them up to their oncologist,” says Dr. Flood. “But it’s important for patients and their families to be proactive about discussing symptoms experienced during treatment. Interventions are available that can help patients maintain their functional abilities and improve their overall quality of life during treatment.”

Access Special Care Early, If Needed

Dr. Flood stresses that if geriatric health problems or other symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath become troublesome during cancer treatment, a palliative medicine physician or nurse can be of assistance with symptom management.

“Palliative medicine is a specialty that focuses on managing symptoms associated with any chronic or life-threatening illness,” explains Dr. Flood. “In bringing together health care providers from several disciplines (i.e., psychology, pastoral care, nursing, complementary medicine), palliative medicine can help patients with issues such as pain management, nutrition, and functional decline.”

Dr. Flood points out that often, older patients come into palliative care much later than they should. “In most cases, it really should be accessed much earlier — sometimes even at the time of diagnosis.”