Longitudinal Impact of Adjuvant Chemotherapy on Functional Status, Comorbidity and Quality of Life

The goal of this study is to increase our understanding of the adjuvant chemotherapy experience in older and younger adults by prospectively describing the longitudinal trajectory of functional status, comorbidity, and quality of life from before the initiation of chemotherapy to 6 months after the completion of treatment in older (65 and older) and younger (under 65) adults. In addition, we will determine the effect of pre-treatment physical functioning on physical recovery after the course of adjuvant chemotherapy. The secondary objective of this study is to explore if factors other than chronological age (functional status, co-morbid medical conditions, nutritional status, psychological state, cognitive function, and social support) predicts which patients are more likely to experience morbidity (defined as grade 3-5 toxicity, hospitalization, dose reduction or delay, or premature discontinuation of chemotherapy course) from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients with stages I-III breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy 2. Able to understand English 3. Able to provide informed consent 4. Patients of any age and performance status are eligible