Klimop: a study on older cancer patients

There is a remarkable increase in the number of older patients with cancer.
Older cancer patients represent a very heterogeneous group as within a decade
of age, there is a considerable diversity in life expectancy, ability to live
independently and burden of chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the knowledge of
older cancer patients remains scarce. As such, little is known about the impact
of cancer diagnosis and treatment on the wellbeing of older cancer patients and
also the distinction between fit and frail patients is uncertain. A long term
follow-up of the wellbeing of older cancer patients might provide new
information which might contribute to the improvement of knowledge and care for
older cancer patients.

The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of a diagnosis
and type of treatment of cancer, ageing and their interaction on wellbeing of
older cancer patients. Furthermore, we aim to determine the different
psychosocial characteristics that influence survival, depression and quality of
life in older cancer patients.

A prospective, longitudunal cohort study. Data collection will take place at
inclusion, after six months of follow-up, after one year of follow-up and every
subsequent year until death or end of the study. Data will be collected through
personal interviews or self-administrated quesionnaires (consisting of
socio-demographic information, general health information and a comprehensive
geriatric assessment, with additional questionnaires as quality of life, health
locus of control and a loneliness scale), a hand-grip test, information from
the medical reccord, two buccal swabs (at baseline) and through a questionnaire
for the central caregiver (consisting of a depression questionnaire, coping
scale and a burden scale).

Participation in this study does not imply any risks.
Extent of the burden is limited to a yearly one-hour interview (yearly
questionnaire for the caregivers).