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Self-reported cognitive problems in women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 16:13 authored by Valerie ShillingValerie Shilling, Valerie JenkinsValerie Jenkins
Self-reported cognitive problems are common among women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer but are unrelated to actual cognitive impairment. To date, no studies have objectively measured impairment and asked patients to speak about the type and extent of problems they encounter. We report interview data from 142 breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant therapy. We aimed to identify the types of problems and the extent to which they interfered with everyday life. We investigated the relationship between self-reported and objective cognitive impairment, quality of life and psychological distress. The majority of participants reported problems with their memory (71% overall at 6 months, 60% at 18 months) and concentration (64% and 42%, respectively). This was unrelated to objective cognitive decline; rather, it was associated with psychological distress and quality of life. For the vast majority, the problems reported were everyday slips and lapses. The neuropsychological measures routinely used may lack the sensitivity to detect these subtle changes experienced by this group. In addition, the effects of mood on cognition may be more important in everyday life than in the highly structured neuropsychological test situation. Future research should focus on developing cognitive assessments that tap everyday functioning.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

European Journal of Oncology Nursing

ISSN

1462-3889

Publisher

Elsevier

Issue

1

Volume

11

Page range

6-15

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research & Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) Publications

Notes

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Published by Elsevier

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2011-11-09