Polypharmacy poses a significant challenge for many colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, with new Australian research shedding light on its prevalence and impact. The study, published in The Oncologist, reveals that over 70% of CRC patients experience polypharmacy at some point during their cancer journey, with nearly 50% facing it in the critical years following diagnosis. This condition, where patients take multiple medications simultaneously, is associated with increased risks of inappropriate medication use, adverse events, and even death, as evidenced by previous research in similar patient populations. However, the study also highlights a concerning trend: even among patients treated with curative intent, higher-than-expected rates of polypharmacy indicate excess morbidity and impaired quality of life, despite being cured of cancer. The research, conducted by Australian scientists, analyzed medication use in CRC patients over a five-year period, including the year prior to diagnosis, during active treatment, and up to five years post-diagnosis. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of medication use, with a notable increase in the number of medicines dispensed in the year following diagnosis, likely coinciding with primary cancer therapies. This surge in medication use is followed by a gradual return to pre-diagnosis levels for most patients. The study also identified specific risk factors for polypharmacy, such as female gender, age 75 and older, the presence of comorbidities, and socioeconomic disadvantage. These factors were associated with a higher likelihood of polypharmacy in the 12 months prior to CRC diagnosis and between the fourth and fifth years after diagnosis. The research emphasizes the need for quality survivorship programs that address the unique challenges arising post-CRC diagnosis, such as ongoing neuropathy, pain, or psychological symptoms, and prioritize the prevention and management of non-cancer comorbidities.
