Scoping review on navigation interventions for older adults with cancer in Europe and beyond.
TL;DR
Evidence on PN for older adults with cancer in Europe remains limited but suggests potential benefits across the cancer care continuum, and further research is needed to adapt patient navigation programs to the complex and individual needs of older patients with cancer.
Abstract
Purpose
Older adults with cancer often experience fragmented care, multimorbidity, and psychosocial barriers that limit access to timely, coordinated services. Patient navigation (PN) provides individualized support across medical and social domains; however, evidence on models tailored to older populations in Europe is limited. This study synthesizes current evidence on PN programs for older adults with cancer in Europe and compares it with findings from other regions.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched (1993-2025). Data extraction included study characteristics, target populations, intervention components, navigator roles, competencies, training, evaluation, recruitment, and funding.
Results
Of 4249 records identified, 215 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 28 European PN interventions. Only two targeted adults aged ≥ 60 years, and six included participants aged 50-75 years. Compared with the United States, PN research for older adults remains less developed in Europe, while studies specifically involving adults aged ≥ 75 years are scarce worldwide. Most interventions for adults aged 50 years and older focused on patient education and barrier assessment during the screening phase and included navigator training. In this group, navigation services were mainly provided by social workers and lay navigators.
Conclusion
Evidence on PN for older adults with cancer in Europe remains limited but suggests potential benefits across the cancer care continuum. Given the high prevalence of multimorbidity and frailty among older adults, further research is needed to adapt patient navigation programs to the complex and individual needs of older patients with cancer.