Grant: Project Grant

Cancer mostly affects older adults. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that all older adults with cancer receive a detailed assessment of their health and well-being. This is called a geriatric assessment. Health care professionals and people with cancer can use it to make the best treatment decisions. Some studies show that it can reduce treatment toxicity and the risk of being admitted to hospital. We know older adults place high value on independence and quality of life when they consider which cancer treatment to start. We also know that despite this, many older adults see their quality of life worsen during and after cancer treatment. In older adults without cancer, physical activity is key for preventing decline in functional status. However, not many studies have looked at whether more physical activity during cancer treatment helps older adults with cancer. Also, older adults with cancer often depend on their support person during their treatment who can also see a decline in health and wellbeing as they support someone through cancer treatment. In this study we will combine geriatric assessment with an online physical activity and health education activity for both the older adult and their support person. We will recruit older adults aged 70 years and over who are frail, along with their support person. The older adults and their support person will be randomly placed into a group that receives a geriatric assessment and does the activity or a group that only receives normal care. The activity is an online exercise program, done sitting in a chair, with health education class that is done twice a week. This will last 12 weeks, and both the older adult and their support person will take part. After 12 weeks of normal care, the other group will be offered the same activities. Our study will test whether this combination will help older adults stay healthier during cancer treatment and whether older adults are able to do the activity.