Nurses Urged to Avoid Age-Based Assumptions in Toxicity Care

Eliya Shachar, MD, a postdoctoral research fellow in OB/GYN and urology at UCLA Health, discussed how oncology nurses can apply findings showing no independent association between demographics and treatment-related toxicity to clinical practice.

Shachar emphasized that the key takeaway is the need for proactive and consistent toxicity monitoring across all patients receiving treatment. Rather than assuming that older patients are more likely to experience side effects, nurses should recognize that age alone is not a reliable predictor of toxicity.

She explained that while age is often considered when evaluating risk, it should not drive decisions to withhold treatment or reduce doses without clear clinical justification. Instead, oncology nurses should remain vigilant in assessing and managing symptoms in all patients, regardless of age.

These findings support a more individualized approach to symptom management, ensuring that treatment decisions are guided by patient-specific factors and real-time clinical observations rather than assumptions tied to demographics.

Transcript

Since the study found no independent association with demographics or treatment continuation due to toxicity, how can oncology nurses use these findings to refine symptom management protocols to ensure all patients are supported?

I think the bottom line is that we always have to be proactive and aware of the toxicities of therapy and not necessarily associate them with older patients or assume a greater likelihood of toxicity based on age alone. Age, in and of itself, is not a parameter to assume that a patient will have greater toxicity.

Rather, we have to be aware across the board, for all patients, that toxicities can occur. We cannot see an older patient and assume they are more likely to experience toxicity and then choose not to treat or to reduce the dose. That may not be the right approach.