Cancer survivorship challenges of rural older adults: a qualitative study
Department
Oncology and Hematology
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
BMC Cancer
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.
First Page
917
DOI
10.1186/s12885-023-11395-z
Volume
23
Issue
1
Publication Date
9-28-2023
PubMed ID
37770838
Recommended Citation
Arana-Chicas, E., Prisco, L. M., Sharma, S., Stauffer, F., McGee, M., Dauphin, S., Ban-Hoefen, M., Navarrete, J., Zittel, J., Cupertino, A. P., Magnuson, A., Mustian, K. M., & Mohile, S. G. (2023). Cancer survivorship challenges of rural older adults: a qualitative study. BMC Cancer, 23 (1), 917. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-023-11395-z