Understanding Needs of Older Patients Prior to Starting Cancer Treatment

A geriatric assessment (GA) is a structured approach to identifying and addressing the strengths and vulnerabilities of older adults with cancer. They can improve the quality of cancer care for older adults and lower side effects. It is recommended a GA be administered prior to the start of non-hormonal systemic therapy for all older adults. Despite these guidelines, only a small percentage of practices report administering them. The practical geriatric assessment (PGA) was developed to help oncology practices perform GAs. It aims to provide a brief way to evaluate older patients' physical health along with other important things like support network and impact to the patient's daily life. Typically, clinics do not receive extra training on delivering the PGA. Providing training and support for staff at cancer clinics may help deliver the enhanced PGA to older adult cancer patients who are starting a new-hormonal systemic therapy. This clinical trial looks at whether providing training and support for staff at cancer clinics can help them deliver patient check-ups (e.g., PGA) specifically designed for adults \>= 65 years old (older adults) starting a new non-hormonal systemic cancer therapy. The usual approach clinics use when starting these cancer therapy courses with an older adult may vary considerably.