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Functional Decline in the Cancer Patient: A Review
Jaidyn Muhandiramge1, Suzanne G Orchard1, Erica T Warner2
1Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
Cancers
|March 25, 2022
Summary
Older cancer patients experience accelerated functional decline, impacting quality of life. Routine assessments and interventions can slow this decline, improving outcomes for cancer survivors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Functional status decline is a normal part of aging.
- Older cancer patients experience accelerated functional decline due to cancer and its treatments.
- This decline is linked to reduced quality of life, increased mortality, and dependency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between cancer and functional decline in older adults.
- To explore underlying mechanisms and assessment tools for functional status.
- To outline strategies for prevention and management of functional decline in this population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on aging, cancer, and functional status.
- Analysis of mechanisms linking cancer/treatment to functional decline.
- Identification and evaluation of assessment tools and intervention strategies.
Main Results:
- Cancer and its treatments significantly accelerate functional decline in older patients.
- Functional decline is associated with adverse health outcomes.
- Current long-term care for cancer survivors often lacks routine functional status assessment and intervention.
Conclusions:
- Routine assessment of functional status is crucial for older cancer patients.
- Timely interventions can mitigate or slow accelerated functional decline.
- Integrating functional status management into survivorship care is essential for improving long-term outcomes.
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