title: Physical functioning of elderly cancer patients prior to diagnosis and following initial treatment.
abstract: This American study used a well- known tool, the SF-36, to measure the physical functioning of older people before and after cancer was diagnosed. The sample included patients with cancers of the breast, colon, lung and prostate, who were receiving treatment in community oncology departments. The findings indicated that site and stage of cancer prior to diagnosis did not affect functioning, but once treatment began, symptoms such as pain, fatigue and insomnia had a significant impact. 37 references.