Table 2. Research Recommendations for Developing Intervention Studies to Improve Quality of Life and Survivorship for Older Patients with Cancer.

In studies of behavioral or cancer control interventions, the percentage of older adults enrolled in standard clinical trials should reflect the proportion of older patients in the general population. Studies are needed to better understand on how cancer and its treatments interact with underlying vulnerabilities, which in turn impacts our understanding of the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of interventions for this population. Extrapolating evidence on interventions for common problems (e.g., falls, cognitive impairment, delirium) impacting the health status of older adults with cancer would be beneficial from studies in older patients without cancer, but studies are still needed to determine how to tailor these interventions for older patients with cancer. Studies should incorporate knowledge on trial design, infrastructure support, and methodology that is known from existing research focused on the aging population without cancer. Partnership with stakeholders, including older patients, caregivers and interdisciplinary team members with geriatric expertise, should occur at the very beginning of research development. Issues that should be considered during study development include how the intervention will bedelivered in the community and cost considerations.