Positive Changes in Quality of Life of Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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RATIONALE: Gathering information about the positive changes in quality of life of older patients with cancer and their care givers may help doctors learn more about the disease and plan better treatment. PURPOSE: This research study is looking at positive changes in the quality of life of older cancer patients and their caregivers.

Detailed Description
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OBJECTIVES: Primary To use prior data from an existing registry (Quality of Life Survey Registry for Persons With Cancer and Family Caregivers protocol CASE-8Z05) and to expand upon these data by adding measures that capture the particularly salient concepts of the patient/caregiver dyadic relationship and posttraumatic growth. To identify rates and psychosocial correlates of posttraumatic growth among older adult cancer patient/spouse or partner dyads. OUTLINE: Patients and their caregivers complete three questionnaires that will take approximately 20 minutes either by mail or telephone. The questionnaires comprise of demographic and psychosocial correlates of posttraumatic growth including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, anxiety, relationship quality, coping style, social support, and cultural beliefs about caring for elders.

Official Title
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Correlates of Post-Traumatic Growth in Cancer Patients and Their Partners

Conditions
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Psychosocial Effects of Cancer and Its Treatment, Unspecified Adult Solid Tumor, Protocol Specific

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: questionnaire administration
* Other: study of socioeconomic and demographic variables
* Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patient must meet the following criteria: Confirmed cancer of any type Currently receiving medical care at the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland Must have enrolled and participated in CASE-8Z05 Identified available family caregiver of a patient diagnosed with stage III or IV cancer PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Patients must meet the following criteria: ECOG performance status 0-3 Cognitively competent to be interviewed Able to speak and comprehend English Caregivers must be able to speak and comprehend English PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: questionnaire administration|Patients and their caregivers complete three questionnaires that will take approximately 20 minutes either by mail or telephone. The questionnaires comprise of demographic and psychosocial correlates of posttraumatic growth including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, anxiety, relationship quality, coping style, social support, and cultural beliefs about caring for elders.|
|Other: study of socioeconomic and demographic variables|Patients and their caregivers complete three questionnaires that will take approximately 20 minutes either by mail or telephone. The questionnaires comprise of demographic and psychosocial correlates of posttraumatic growth including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, anxiety, relationship quality, coping style, social support, and cultural beliefs about caring for elders.|
|Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care|Patients and their caregivers complete three questionnaires that will take approximately 20 minutes either by mail or telephone. The questionnaires comprise of demographic and psychosocial correlates of posttraumatic growth including age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education, anxiety, relationship quality, coping style, social support, and cultural beliefs about caring for elders.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rate of posttraumatic growth |  | after diagnosis of cancer | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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psychosocial effects of cancer and its treatment, unspecified adult solid tumor, protocol specific