What do participants need to do: Complete an online survey
How long will it take? 10 minutes
Will participants get paid? No
Who can take part? Cancer patients aged 65 and over, their family members, close friends or carers
Deadline: 21 April 2025
Location: Online
Frailty sometimes affects cancer patients, especially those who are older. That is why Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University Hospitals of Wales are inviting All-Wales Cancer Community members to participate in this short survey. Your views are invaluable. They will help to plan more meaningful research on this subject in cancer patients. The survey is anonymous and should take no more than 10 min to complete.
To help you complete the survey, below is some information about frailty.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
What is frailty?
The word "frailty" is often used when speaking about older people, but it is not always understood correctly. For some people, frailty means a condition to be ashamed of, as if carrying a “bad label”. When health professionals talk about frailty, they are thinking about people with very low built-in reserves, who generally will find it hard to bounce back after illness or injury.
Frail people may face bigger problems if they get sick or need medical treatment. For example, for cancer patients being frail can affect their health outcomes or make them more vulnerable to the side effects of chemotherapy. Frail people are also more likely to suffer bad falls that may cause them to lose their independence. Recognizing early signs of frailty can help people have better health outcomes, both now and in the future.
Many people think that frailty only happens because of ageing and that there is nothing you can do about it. But the truth is that you can take steps to lower your chances of becoming frail, or even prevent it from happening altogether.
Why recognizing frailty early is important
If frailty is spotted early, it’s easier to make changes that will help. Some possible signs of frailty are:
- Having trouble opening a jar or lifting heavy groceries
- Feeling tired or needing to rest after standing or walking for a short time
- Losing weight for no reason (for example, without going on a diet)
- Finding it hard to stand up after sitting down
If you notice any of these signs, there are simple things you can do to improve your health:
- Exercise to make your muscles stronger and keep fit
- Eat healthy foods
- Spend time outside to get enough vitamin D (which is good for your bones)
- Have your doctor or pharmacist review your medications regularly
Even small changes can make a big difference. It’s also important to have people around you for support, as this can improve your health and help you avoid frailty.
If you recognize frailty early, you can take action to stay healthy, stay independent, and enjoy a good quality of life for longer. Doctors can also use frailty assessments to help decide which treatments are right for you and give you the care you need.
The survey
To access the survey please click here
