Cancer survivorship challenges of rural older adults: a qualitative study

BMC Cancer · 13 authors, 8 centres

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FIDELITY 100%

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AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

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TL;DR

The central result is that these survivors report a range of challenges including lack of awareness of survivorship care plans, communication issues, transportation difficulties, financial toxicity, and psychological struggles, alongside recommendations for better nutritional advice, exercise referrals, and social support.

Full summary

143 CHARS

Specific challenges unique to rural life, like reliance on family for rides and consideration of farm animal care during treatment, were noted.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

oncology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10536752

Cancer survivorship challenges of rural older adults: a qualitative study

BMC Cancer

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Although research has advanced the field of oncologic geriatrics with survivors to assess their cancer-related needs and devise patient-centered interventions, most of that research has excluded rural populations. This study aimed to understand the survivorship challenges and recommendations in the perspective of rural older adults. Methods This was a qualitative study that explored the survivorship challenges and recommendations of rural older adults who have completed curative intent chemotherapy for a solid tumor malignancy in the 12 months prior to enrollment in the present study. Results Twenty-seven older adult survivors from rural areas completed open-ended semi-structured interviews. The mean age was 73.4 ( SD = 5.0). Most participants were non-Hispanic White (96.3%), female (59.3%), married (63.0%), and had up to a high school education (51.9%). Rural older survivors reported a general lack of awareness of survivorship care plans, communication challenges with healthcare team, transportation challenges, financial toxicity, psychological challenges, and diet and physical challenges. Rural older survivors recommend the provision of nutritional advice referral to exercise programs, and social support groups and for their healthcare providers to discuss their survivorship plan with them. Conclusions Although study participants reported similar survivorship challenges as urban older adult survivors, additional challenges reported regarding transportation and consideration of farm animals have not been previously reported. Heightened awareness of the survivorship needs of rural older adults may result in better survivorship care for this population. Keywords: Older adults, Rural populations, Cancer survivorship, Geriatric oncology

CITATION EXPORT

Evelyn Arana-Chicas, Laura M Hincapie Prisco, Saloni Sharma et al.. Cancer survivorship challenges of rural older adults: a qualitative study. BMC Cancer. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-11395-z

AUTHORS

13 · 8 CENTRES

Evelyn Arana-Chicas, Laura M Hincapie Prisco, Saloni Sharma, Fiona Stauffer, Martha McGee, Serge Dauphin, Makiko Ban-Hoefen, Jaime Navarette, Jason Zittel, Ana Paula Cupertino, Allison Magnuson, Karen M Mustian, Supriya G Mohile

1James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
2Division of Supportive Care in Cancer, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
3Geriatric Oncology Research Group, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
4Specialized Oncology Care & Research for our Elders Board Patient and Caregiver Advocate Board (SOCAREboard), University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
5Arnot Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
6Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY USA
7Department of Surgery, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY USA
8Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York, USA