Prevalence of cancer survivors in the United States.

BACKGROUND: With aging of the population and improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care, the number of cancer survivors in the United States (US) has increased; updated prevalence estimates are needed. METHODS: Cancer prevalence on January 1, 2022 was estimated using the Prevalence Incidence Approach Model, utilizing incidence, survival, and mortality. Prevalence by age decade, sex, and time from diagnosis were calculated. The percentage of cancer survivors in the projected US population by age and sex was calculated as the ratio of the sex-specific projected prevalence to the sex-specific projected US population. RESULTS: There were an estimated 18.1 million US cancer survivors as of January 1, 2022. From 2022 to 2030, the number of US cancer survivors is projected to increase to 21.6 million; by 2040, the number is projected to be 26 million. Long-term survivors are highly prevalent; in 2022, 70% of cancer survivors survived 5 years or more after diagnosis, and 11% of cancer survivors survived 25 years or more after diagnosis. Among all US females aged 40-54, 3.6% were cancer survivors; among females aged 65-74, 14.5% were cancer survivors; among females aged 85 and older, 36.4% were cancer survivors. Among all US males aged 40-54, 2.1% were cancer survivors; among males aged 65-74, 16% were cancer survivors; among those aged 85 and older, 48.3% were cancer survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer survivors are growing in number. In the US, most cancer survivors are long-term and very long-term survivors, representing a significant proportion of the US population.

Associations of seven measures of biological age acceleration with frailty and all-cause mortality among adult survivors of childhood cancer in the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort.

Survivors of childhood cancer may experience accelerated biological aging, resulting in premature frailty and death. We used seven measures of biological age in the St. Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE) Cohort to compare biological age acceleration between the SJLIFE Cohort and the third United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey controls, explore trajectories of biological age according to cancer treatment and type, and test associations of biological age acceleration with frailty and death (mean follow-up of 26.5 years) among survivors. Survivors of cancer aged 5% faster per year and measured, on average, 0.6-6.44 years biologically older compared to controls and 5-16 years biologically older compared to age-matched individuals at the population level. Survivors treated with hematopoietic cell transplant and vinca alkaloid chemotherapy evidenced the fastest trajectories of biological aging. Biologically, older and faster-aging survivors consistently and robustly had a higher risk of frailty and died earlier than those with slower biological aging, suggesting a potential opportunity to intervene on excess aging.

Blood-based biomarkers of frailty in solid tumors: a systematic review.

This review examines the current literature to identify biomarkers of frailty across patients with solid tumors. We conducted the systematic review using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines (PRISMA). PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched from their inception to December 08, 2021, for reports of biomarkers and frailty. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. A quality assessment was conducted using NHLBI Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies, and Quality Assessment of Case-Control Studies. In total, 915 reports were screened, and 14 full-text articles were included in the review. Most studies included breast tumors, were cross-sectional in design, and measured biomarkers at baseline or pre-treatment. Frailty tools varied with Fried Frailty Phenotype and the geriatric assessment most frequently used. Increased inflammatory parameters (i.e., Interleukin-6, Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio, Glasgow Prognostic Score-2) were associated with frailty severity. Only six studies were rated as good quality using assessment ratings. Together, the small number of studies and heterogeneity in frailty assessment limited our ability to draw conclusions from the extant literature. Future research is needed to identify potential target biomarkers of frailty in cancer survivors that may aid in early detection and referral.

Healthcare providers' attitudes towards delay in cancer treatment during COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented obstacles leading to delays in treatment for older adults with cancer. Due to limited resources at the height of the pandemic, healthcare providers were constantly faced with ethical dilemmas regarding postponing or rescheduling care for their patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two survey-based studies were conducted at different time-points during the pandemic looking at factors affecting oncology care providers' attitudes towards delay in treatment for older adults with cancer. Eligible participants were recruited by email sent through professional organizations' listservs, email blasts, and social media. Change in provider attitude over time was analyzed by comparing responses from the 2020 and 2021 surveys. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-squares. RESULTS: In 2020, 17.5% of respondents were strongly considering/considering postponing cancer treatment for younger patients (age 30 and below), while 46.2% were considering delaying treatment for patients aged >85. These responses were in stark contrast to the results of the 2021 survey, where only 1.4% of respondents strongly considered postponing treatment for younger patients, and 13.5% for patients aged >85. DISCUSSION: All recommendations to postpone treatment for older adults with cancer must be made after mutual discussion with the patient. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, oncology care providers had to consider multiple factors while treating patients, frequently making most decisions without appropriate institutional support.

Demographic and Clinical Donor Characteristics as Predictors of Total Nucleated Cell Concentrations in Harvested Marrow Products.

Successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) relies significantly on adequate allograft cell composition to achieve sustained engraftment, and a minimum of 2 × 108 total nucleated cells (TNCs) per kilogram of recipient body weight has been identified as the prerequisite cell dose for successful engraftment of marrow-derived products. To meet this minimum requirement, marrow harvest volumes are estimated based on anticipated TNC concentrations of 18.3 × 106/mL. However, there is considerable variability in marrow TNC concentrations. Thus, an algorithm that incorporates baseline donor characteristics to predict TNC concentrations could optimize outcomes for both donors and recipients. For this study, donor baseline characteristics and corresponding unstimulated marrow products harvested between 2004 and 2017 at a single large-volume donor center were collected. Multivariable analysis was used to identify significant predictors of TNC concentration. Two models-ordinary least squares (OLS) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression-were compared for their fitness to the data and their utility in predicting TNCs. Donors with higher body mass index, younger age, male sex, white race/ethnicity, smaller harvest volumes, lower preharvest hematocrit, higher preharvest platelet count, and higher preharvest WBC count predicted significantly higher TNC concentrations in marrow products. When comparing predictive models that incorporate these characteristics, the cross-validated LASSO and bootstrapped OLS provided the best fit. We now supply these formulas to be validated in other datasets before clinical use. TNC concentration in marrow products can be predicted using donor characteristics, most of which are readily available during the donor clinical assessment. The ability to predict marrow allograft TNC concentrations can optimize collection volumes during a harvest.

Neurocognitive Impairment After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant for Hematologic Malignancies: Phenotype and Mechanisms.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) plays a central role in the treatment of hematologic cancers. With the increasing survival of patients after HSCT, survivorship issues experienced by this population have become an important outcome. Cognitive impairment is an established sequela of HSCT, with studies to date establishing its presence, associated risk factors, and clinical phenotype. There are multiple potential contributors to cognitive impairment after HSCT. Efforts are ongoing to further characterize its clinical phenotype, associated biomarkers, and biologic underpinnings. A fundamental knowledge of post-HSCT cognitive impairment is of value for all clinicians who interface with this population, and further academic efforts are needed to more fully understand the impact of this cancer treatment on brain health. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As survival outcomes after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) improve, an awareness of the post-treatment challenges faced by this population has become central to its care. HSCT can have a sustained and broad impact on brain health, causing cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, disturbed mood, and sleep. In affected patients, autonomy, return to work, relationships, and quality of life may all be affected. A fundamental fluency in this area is important for clinicians interfacing with HSCT survivors, facilitating the identification and management of cognitive dysfunction and concurrent symptom clusters, and stimulating interest in these sequelae as areas for future clinical research.

Physical and Psychological Health Interdependence Among Dyads in Hematological Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hematological cancer impacts both patients and their caregivers. Although only patients experience direct physical effects from cancer, both patients and caregivers experience psychological effects from cancer-related stressors. Theories suggest that patient-caregiver dyads, although experiencing individual effects from cancer, may also indirectly affect one another's health. This is called interdependence. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated physical and psychological health interdependence among patient-caregiver dyads facing hematological cancer, and whether their relationship quality was a moderator of interdependence. METHODS: Thirty patient-caregiver dyads were assessed for their self-reported physical function, anxiety, and depression using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and relationship quality using the Mutuality Scale. Data were analyzed using the Actor Partner Interdependence Model, a dyadic data methodology for estimating interdependence. RESULTS: Individual physical and psychological health were related within both patients and caregivers. Patients and caregivers did not significantly differ in their reported depression, anxiety, or mutuality. Partner effects were detected among caregivers' anxiety and patients' physical function and depression. Mutuality did not moderate partner effects. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that health interdependence is present among patients with hematological cancer and their caregivers. In addition, there is a strong link between physical and psychological health within individuals, regardless of role. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare teams should consider dyadic assessment in their cancer care plans to identify risks for health decline in patients with hematological cancer and their caregivers. Assessment of caregivers, especially their anxiety levels and physical health, may yield integral information about the patients' physical and psychological health status.

Interdependence of physical and psychological morbidity among patients with cancer and family caregivers: Review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Caregivers for patients with cancer have an integral role in maintaining patients' health. Although patients and caregivers experience the impact of cancer individually, studies suggest their health is interdependent. The objective of this review was to synthesize the literature on interdependent physical and psychological morbidity in patient-caregiver dyads published since 2016. METHODS: A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycInfo databases was performed using Cooper's recommendations and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analyses Guidelines. Studies were included if they measured individual physical or psychological morbidity in cancer patient-caregiver dyads, evaluated interdependence, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies met criteria, characterized by mainly spousal dyads. Studies included a variety of cancers and methodologies. Findings were inconsistent, indicating varying interdependence. However, the studies demonstrated a stronger relationship between patients' and caregivers' psychological morbidity than between their physical morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed a need for continued exploration of dyadic health interdependence. Future studies should consider samples of patients with a single type of cancer, testing cultural mediators/moderators, and using longitudinal designs.

A systematic review of dyadic studies examining depression in couples facing breast cancer.

Problem identification: The aim was to synthesize the dyadic literature on depression among couples in which one person has breast cancer.Literature search: A database search (PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL) was conducted to synthesize the literature. Studies' methodological quality was evaluated, and correlates of depression/interdependence were abstracted.Data evaluation/synthesis: Ten (of 270) studies met the inclusion criteria and were of satisfactory methodological quality. Depression is prevalent in both patients and partners, and was correlated with many psychosocial variables including sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, social support, and appraisal of health. Depression in one member of the dyad predicted depression in their companion.Conclusions: Levels of relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and support felt by couples facing breast cancer may be predictive of depression in each individual. The depressive state of one partner appears to influence the other. More research is needed to support dyadic strategies for mitigating depression in couples facing breast cancer.

Family Caregiver-Receiver Mutuality: A Concept Analysis.

There are more than 43 million family caregivers in the United States. In studies of family caregivers and receivers, evidence suggests that family caregiver-receiver mutuality is linked to health. Lack of a clear definition of family caregiver-receiver mutuality is an obstacle that prevents scientific progress and effective operationalization of the concept. To address this issue, the authors applied Walker and Avant's method for concept analysis and clarified the concept of family caregiver-receiver mutuality. A standardized definition of caregiver-receiver mutuality is presented along with antecedents, consequences, defining attributes, empirical referents, and case illustrations.