Characteristics of Elderly Cancer Patients' Concerns and Their Quality of Life in Japan: A Web-based Survey

Abstract

Cancer incidence and the number of cancer patients are increasing in today's aging society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of elderly cancer patients' concerns and examine the association between their concerns and quality of life. This was a cross-sectional web-based survey completed by ambulatory cancer patients aged 20 years or older. The questionnaire on cancer patients' concerns, comprehensive concerns assessment tool and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 were distributed to the subjects. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine which patients' concerns significantly contributed to their quality of life. The final study population consisted of 807 cancer patients, among whom 243 (30%) were elderly (65 years or older). Elderly cancer patients had particular difficulty with self-management, psychological symptoms and medical information, and the prevalence of their concerns was generally lower than that of younger patients, with the exception of physical symptoms. Multiple types of elderly patients' concerns were independently associated with quality of life. We found that elderly cancer patients suffered from various concerns, thus multidisciplinary intervention is important for providing them with optimal care. The results of this study suggest that elderly cancer patients' quality of life will improve if their concerns are properly handled.