Main challenges in survivorship transitions: Perspectives of older adults with cancer

To describe main challenges experienced by older adults (75+ years) following primary cancer treatment as a basis for development of age-appropriate survivorship care.

A national survey was conducted across ten Canadian provinces to identify experiences with follow-up for cancer survivors one to three years post-treatment. The survey included open-ended questions for respondents to add details that offered deeper insight into their experiences. This publication presents analysis of responses from older adults (75+ years) about the main challenge they faced in transitioning to survivorship.

In total, 3274 older adults (75+ years) responded to the survey and 2057 responded to the main challenge question. Fifty-five percent were male, 72% had not experienced metastatic disease and 75% reported comorbid conditions. The 1571 (48.0%) respondents reporting at least one main challenge described 2426 challenges categorized as physical, emotional, practical, lifestyle adjustments, health care delivery, and relationships/support. Physical challenges were identified most frequently (68.2%, n = 1655) including physical capacity (35.8%), symptoms/side effects (32.7%), and changes in bodily function/appearance (31.3%). Thematic analysis revealed three themes: 'getting back on my feet', 'adjusting to the changes', and 'finding the support I needed'.

This work highlights gaps in early cancer survivorship for older adults and raises concerns about unexamined ageism within the Canadian cancer care system. A need for comprehensive geriatric assessments is evident before and toward the end of primary treatment to individualize care plans. Proactive provision of information about managing changes from treatment, offered in meaningful multi-modal ways, is important.