Prediction of Malnutrition and the Relationships Among Pain, Function, Depression, and Cancer Stage in Older with Breast Cancer.

This article focuses on the relationships among malnutrition, pain, functional status, depression, and cancer stage in older women diagnosed with breast cancer. In a cross-sectional study of 72 women aged 70 and older receiving treatment at a National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer center, malnutrition—as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment—was significantly associated with advanced cancer stage, increased pain, depression, and impaired activities of daily living. Functional status and cancer stage were identified as significant predictors of malnutrition, highlighting the importance of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in detecting these interrelated geriatric syndromes. The findings suggest that oncology nurses should routinely screen for malnutrition and related symptoms to inform treatment planning and provide nutritional support, especially for patients with advanced disease and functional limitations.