Body Composition in Older Adults

The primary aim of the study is to explore body composition in older adults (aged 70 years and over) with cancer, undergoing systemic anticancer treatment. Additional aims include to explore the extent of body composition changes and whether changes are tumour specific, the incidence for cancer-related cachexia and sarcopenia and finally, how body composition can inform nutritional management of older adults with cancer.

To do this, the investigators applied for and were awarded funding from a company called Nutricia to pay for a band 4 (0.6 WTE for 7 months) to take monthly body composition measures on the patients who are eligible, accepting of assessment by the Senior Adult Oncology Programme (SAOP) and consent to these measures. Measurements will include an analysis from the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) machine which will quantify fat, lean muscle, and water content; waist to hip ratio; handgrip strength; calf circumferences. Socio-demographic data will also be collected.

Descriptive data analysis will take place to explore possible trends and associations which may inform future research and drive even further personalised care for this growing and typically underrepresented in research, population.