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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
 APHA 2005
 
5043.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 9:00 AM

Abstract #107833

Older Cancer Patients Poor Participation in Clinical Trials: Educating Patients and their Caregivers to Overcome Barriers of Access to Emerging Cancer Therapies

Mary Grace Pagaduan, MPH, Edward Ciborowski, CSW, MLS, and Hildy Dillon, MPH. Information Resource Center, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, 914-821-8868, pagaduanm@lls.org

Published studies report that older cancer patients are significantly underrepresented in cancer clinical trials. Currently patients 65 and older comprise 65% of the U.S. cancer population. According to recent published data, this population only represents 36% of the cancer clinical trial population. As life expectancy in this country increases, the elderly population continues to grow.

Studies have indicated that many older patients can be effectively managed through chemotherapy treatments. However, it is also noted that older cancer patients continue to be at risk of a poor prognosis and/or poor quality of life due to co-morbidities and their inability to tolerate toxic cancer therapies. It is critical that the representation of older patients in clinical trials is increased to develop therapies that will improve their quality of life and outcomes.

The purpose of this presentation is to highlight programs and services developed by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to address the growing need of older patients with hematological cancers to have better access to clinical trials and treatments. Some of these programs are offered nationally through technology while others are delivered in the community by the Society's 63 chapters. Evaluation data of these programs will be offered including preliminary data on two new Society community education programs that target this population. One program includes a tool that helps identify older patients' capacity to benefit from and tolerate cancer treatment.

These programs aim to encourage older blood cancer patients' access to necessary care and address poor participation in clinical trials.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the importance and benefits for older cancer patients’ participation in clinical trials.
  • Present preliminary data on two new community education programs that target older adults
  • Identify barriers to access of older adults clinical trials that can be addressed through patient advocacy strategies and education such as

    Keywords: Cancer, Clinical Trials

    Related Web page: www.lls.org

    Presenting author's disclosure statement:

    I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

    Health Services Use and Adherence Behaviors among Older Adults

    The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA