A recent study published in JAMA Network Open looked at how often older adults with advanced (metastatic) cancer spend time away from home for medical care. Researchers counted “health care contact days,” meaning days spent at doctor visits, clinics, tests, or treatments.
The study found that adults over age 66 with metastatic cancer are spending more days in medical settings than in the past, especially in doctors’ offices. Among different cancer types, people with colorectal cancer had the highest number of medical visits, followed by lung, breast, and prostate cancers.
The research also showed that fewer patients with advanced cancer are living longer than one year after diagnosis compared to earlier years of the study. This is important because some cancer treatments may become less effective over time, especially when the goal is to slow the cancer rather than cure it.
Spending more time in tests, appointments, and treatment rooms can be tiring—for patients and families. This research highlights the importance of talking openly with your health care team about your goals, what matters most to you, and how you want to spend your time. Planning ahead and sharing your wishes—often called advance care planning—can help ensure your care focuses on quality of life and aligns with your values.
If you have questions about your care options or want help starting these conversations, your Esse healthcare team, including palliative care, is here to support you.
Gupta, A, et al. JAMA Network Open. Health Care Contact Days in Older Adults with Metastatic Cancer. 2025; 8(12):e2547924. Doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.47924
