Social support for older adults with cancer: Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology review paper

Abstract

Older adults with cancer have increasing needs in physical, cognitive, and emotional domains, and they can experience decline in all domains with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Social support plays a key role in supporting these patients, mitigating negative effects of diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and improving cancer outcomes. We review the importance of social support in older adults with cancer, describe the different components of social support and how they are measured, discuss current interventions that are available to improve social support in older adults, and describe burdens on caregivers. We also highlight Dr. Arti Hurria's contributions to recognizing the integral role of social support to caring for older adults with cancer.