COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted biological therapies are cancer treatments that can increase survivorship in patients with breast cancer, yet the associated cognitive side effects of therapy can significantly reduce quality of life (QOL). Cognitive Impairment has been identified by oncology nurses and patient's as one of the most difficult symptoms to manage. However, methods to detect cognitive impairment are inconsistent in the literature. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cancer treatment on cognitive impairment in women with breast cancer using self-reported instruments. A descriptive, correlational pilot study was used to compare healthy women of similar age and those women who receive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy for breast cancer at six months or less of endocrine therapy. This study evaluated three-self reported tools on cognition (attention, memory, and executive function) in conjunction with self-reported tools on symptom burden, QOL, anxiety, and depression. Results showed a significant difference between groups in attention and executive function but not in memory. Women with breast cancer reported significantly more symptoms and demonstrated more anxiety and depression than the healthy women. The findings of this study corresponded with findings from previous studies. However, a larger scale study with a larger sample size needs to be completed to validate these findings.