THE IMPACT OF AGE, TREATMENT, AND SYMPTOMS ON THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL-HEALTH OF CANCER-PATIENTS - A LONGITUDINAL PERSPECTIVE

Background. To describe continuing care and rehabilitation needs of ca ncer patients, a longitudinal design (6 months) was performed among pa tients 50 years of age and older with solid tumors. The study examined how age, type of treatment, site of cancer, and symptom experience af fect physical functioning and their mental health; age, site of cancer and the interval of time out of treatment influence changes in their symptom experience; and age, site of cancer, the interval of time out of treatment, and changes in symptom experience influence changes in p hysical and mental health. Methods. Patients (n = 111) who completed a n intake and a g-month self-administered questionnaire were included. Treatment included chemotherapy, radiation, or hormonal treatment at i ntake and for 6 months. Scales of nine symptoms and physical health us ing activities of daily living and measures of vigorous function were composed. Mental health was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Results. The analyses yielded the following findings: (1) Primary site may have had an impact on symptom experien ce, limitations in functioning, and mental health if more patients wit h lung cancer had survived to 6 months. (2) Age, gender, treatment, or change in treatment had no impact on symptoms, functioning, or mental health at intake or changes in these variables. (3) Symptom experienc e at intake and the changes in symptoms predicted physical functioning and mental health at intake and the changes in these variables over t ime. (4) Gender differences were important in predicting mental health . Conclusions. Strategies for continuing care and rehabilitation need to focus on symptom management, and strategies need to be different fo r male and female patients.