Research Highlights Support Gaps in Care for Older Breast Cancer Patients
A new study reveals significant gaps in supportive care use among older breast cancer patients, highlighting challenges in engagement despite identified health risks. Improving awareness and acceptance of supportive services is essential for better outcomes.
A recent study published in the Journal of Geriatric Oncology sheds light on significant shortcomings in the supportive care accessed by older adults diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite existing risks associated with aging that can complicate treatment, many patients opt out of available services designed to enhance their health outcomes. The research, conducted at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, evaluated the use of geriatric assessments and the acceptance of referrals among patients aged 70 and above from 2022 to 2024.
The findings revealed that while geriatric assessments successfully identified issues such as falls, hospitalizations, and the need for additional support, only 60% of those referred to support services actually accepted them. Notably, among 362 patients approached, only 108 completed the assessment, and of these, around 67% agreed to geriatric referrals, while only 36% accepted social work services. Challenges remain in engaging older patients in supportive care, with some perceiving such referrals as unnecessary or a sign of frailty.
The study emphasizes the importance of routine geriatric assessments embedded within cancer care to better identify risks and improve outcomes. Experts suggest that increasing awareness and normalizing supportive services are critical steps forward. The research advocates for expanding outreach to explain the benefits of supportive care, tracking long-term outcomes, and developing strategies to encourage acceptance among high-risk populations.
Supported by the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research, this study underscores the need for oncology teams to address barriers to supportive care engagement and align practices with national guidelines recommending comprehensive geriatric assessments in older cancer patients.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-gaps-older-breast-cancer-patients.html
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