Aging and Family Outcomes in Supportive Care of Advanced Cancer Patients

We are testing a coping and communication support (CCS) intervention for advanced stage cancer patients and their family caregivers over the period when goals of care may shift, i.e. beginning shortly after diagnosis. This randomized clinical trial is being conducted in two urban tertiary cancer clinics that reach patients and families in low income and diverse underserved populations: the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC and MetroHealth Medical Center. Recruitment and randomization are based on patient's diagnosis and age. The patient had to have been diagnosed with a stage IV cancer within a year of enrollment and they must fall into one of two age groups: middle-aged (ages 40-60); or older (61 and older). Patients are stratified by age group and then randomized to usual care or CCS intervention. Family care-givers are randomized along with the patient. Trained clinical nurse specialists with advanced training in mental health serve as CCS practitioners. They are available to patients and family caregivers on a 24/7 basis to assist with coping and communication challenges as they may arise. The primary goal of this project is to examine main effects of the intervention and patient age group interaction effects of the CCS intervention on perspectives and well-being of family caregivers during advanced cancer care and in bereavement.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients diagnosed within 1 year with advanced cancer (stage IV), aged 40 years or older.
• Patients must be cognitively intact at time of enrollment.
• Patient need not have family care-giver to be enrolled, but if there is one, FCG is enrolled with the patient. FCG need not be 40 years of age.

Exclusion criteria

• Less than stage IV cancer, stage IV cancer diagnosed over 1 year previously or younger than 40 years of age.