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Differences in long-term health trajectories between older cancer survivors and older adults without cancer

Ye, Minzhi
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9734-9599
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1649361036974955

Abstract Details

2022, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Sociology.
The population of older, long-term cancer survivors is growing; however, little is known about how cancer and aging influence older adults' health trajectories differently. The current study attempted to address this knowledge gap by merging two National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded longitudinal studies in Cleveland from 1998 to 2010. The unique cross-sequential design facilitates a comparison between the health changes in long-term (5 years +) older cancer survivors (breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer) and demographically-matched older adults without a history of cancer in the same geographic area within the same period. The study also captured comprehensive information on how socioeconomic status and living arrangements interact with cancer and aging over time. General linear models were employed in the data analysis. The findings showed that early cancer experience did not affect long-term cancer survivors' health status in later life. Conversely, comorbidities, being an African-American, being a woman, having less than a college degree, and living alone significantly decreased the health trajectory in later life for all older adults. Moreover, when compared to other groups, older African-American cancer survivors reported a dramatic decrease in self-reported health after controlling for other conditions. Study findings can inform public policy and social services to offer comprehensive treatment plans and help individuals overcome their diseases and lead longer and healthier lives.
Eva Kahana (Committee Chair)
Kurt Stange (Committee Member)
Adam Perzynski (Committee Member)
Gary Deimling (Committee Member)
159 p.
Health; Sociology
Cancer survivors; Racial disparities; Social stratification; Living alone; Health; Depressive Symptoms

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ye, M. (2022). Differences in long-term health trajectories between older cancer survivors and older adults without cancer [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1649361036974955

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ye, Minzhi. Differences in long-term health trajectories between older cancer survivors and older adults without cancer. 2022. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1649361036974955.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ye, Minzhi. "Differences in long-term health trajectories between older cancer survivors and older adults without cancer." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1649361036974955

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1649361036974955
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This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.