Table 2 Recommendations for Future Research with Older Breast Cancer Patients
Area of research | Recommendations |
|---|---|
Methodological issues | • Long-term follow-up needed |
|  | • Increase sample sizes |
|  | • Integrate quality of outcomes into clinical and observation trials |
Body image and sexuality | • Include reliable and valid measures of body image and sexuality concerns |
|  | • Discuss preferences |
Effects of comorbid conditions | • Design studies to specifically evaluate interactions of decrements in function or well being associated with treatment of comorbid conditions. |
|  | • Use of multiple informants approach with cognitively impaired women [96] |
|  | • Use of Comprehensive Prognostic Index [97] |
Cognitive effects of treatments and evaluation of fatigue | • Examine long-term cognitive effects of adjuvant treatment using validated neuropsychological batteries |
|  | • Evaluate fatigue prior to and after surgery, and adjuvant therapy |
Interventions to improve quality of life | • Educate medical staff on older women's unique concerns and needs |
|  | • Develop interventions to improve patient-physician communication |
|  | • Use decision aides to elicit preferences and enhance shared decision making |
|  | • Tailor interventions to account for cultural factors |
Caregiver burden | • Examine caregiver sleep problems and their role in depression |
|  | • Increase social support |
|  | • Assess quality of the dying experience for patient and caregiver |
|  | • Test models to relieve caregiver burden |