Results of a single-site, retrospective cohort study of 304 patients aged 65 or above with haematological, gastrointestinal, urological, breast, lung and gynaecological cancers showed that 35.8% of them had at least one fall in the preceding 6 months, which is considered high compared to otherwise similar age-matched population. Major depression, functional impairment, frailty, dementia and low social support were risk factors for falls (BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2018 Mar;8(1):34-37).
Likely reasons for falls in older adults with cancer include fatigue, mood changes and such effects of chemotherapy as peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage). Practically speaking, this study may imply that one out of three older adults with cancer is at risk may possibly fall within the next 6 months. Additionally, managing depression, providing social support and providing physical and occupational therapy to address functional impairments may help improve risk of falls in this patient population.