RESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to assess the burden of caregiving among family caregivers of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older in Japan. We included family caregivers of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older who were attending two hospitals in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, or receiving treatment during home visits. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on previous studies. We obtained 37 responses from 37 respondents. Excluding those with incomplete responses, we had data from 35 respondents for analysis. The factor that significantly influenced the burden of caregiving for cancer survivors aged 75 years or older and family caregivers living together was the provision of full-time care (p = 0.041). Helping cancer survivors manage money (p = 0.055) was also associated with a higher burden. For family caregivers living separately, a more detailed examination of the association between the sense of caregiving burden and distance of travel to provide home-visit care is necessary, along with more support to attend hospitals with cancer survivors.
RESUMEN
Life satisfaction is increasingly important for older cancer survivors as the global population ages and the life expectancy 29 of cancer survivors increases. This study sought to identify factors associated with physical symptoms, quality of life under treatment, and current life satisfaction in cancer survivors aged 75 years and older receiving outpatient chemotherapy. Information about treatment for cancer survivors was collected from electronic medical records, and interviews were conducted to assess life satisfaction under treatment. Participants were older cancer survivors in Ishikawa, Japan. Of the participants, 80% lived on the Noto Peninsula. The average linear distance traveled for treatment was 40.7 km. The factors associated with patients' dissatisfaction with their current lives included general malaise (odds ratio: 9.61; 95% confidence interval: 1.28-72.22) and being less happy now than when they were younger (odds ratio: 10.559; 95% confidence interval: 1.50-74.24). In outpatient cancer treatment for survivors aged 75 years and older, support should consider the distance to the hospital. As in past studies, general malaise was shown to have a negative impact on the lives of cancer survivors aged 75 years or older. Support providers should pay attention to patients' general malaise when providing support.
