EXPLORING PERSPECTIVES OF CANCER SURVIVORS > 75 YEARS ABOUT CHALLENGES, LIVING RURALLY, AND INCOME: A SECONDARY ANALYSIS

Aging is the single most important risk factor for cancer. The peak of cancer diagnosis incidence in North America occurs in individuals between 75 to 84 years of age and over 20.0% of seniors in Canada are living with or have had a cancer diagnosis. As the number of senior cancer survivors increases, there is growing attention to that population's unmet needs and difficulty in accessing follow-up care services and assistance for their physical, emotional and practical challenges. In addition to age, other factors may present barriers to accessing assistance including location, for example living rurally, and income. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a publicly available Cancer Survivor Transitions Study databank regarding experiences of Canadian cancer survivors one to three years following treatment. The goal was to explore the nature of concerns held by survivors >=75 years living in a rural setting, their incomes, help-seeking, and access to follow-up care services. A total of 806 survey respondents were included in the analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative questions were analyzed. A content analysis was performed utilizing written comments in response to open-ended questions. Major challenges focused on physical capacity limitations and treatment side effects: suggestions for improvements highlighted the need for improved and timely follow-up care and information about self-care and side effects management. While 28.0% reported annual household income of less than $25,000, financial constraints did not emerge as a major challenge. Most did not seek help for the challenges they encountered, but those who did faced long wait times for assistance. The majority were satisfied with follow-up care provided by their cancer specialist or general practitioner. Our findings highlight the complexity for older cancer survivors, as they manage numerous intersecting challenges and consequences of both aging and cancer treatment. Rural living may amplify some of these challenges as well as ameliorate others. As older adults transition toward survivorship, they must have access to comprehensive assessments that identify physical, emotional and practical challenges as a basis for providing tailored interventions that support this demographic to thrive in their local communities.