Abstract 5275: Comparing self-reported cognitive function among Caucasian and African American breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Abstract Approximately 35% of breast cancer survivors (BCS) report changes in cognitive function after cancer treatment. The purpose of this abstract is to compare self-reported cognitive changes between Caucasian (CAU) and African American (AA) BCS who participated in the Think Well program. Think Well is an educational program to increase awareness of cognitive function and promote healthy living. Sixteen Think Well seminars were delivered in-person to urban and rural counties throughout North Central Alabama. Following each seminar, participants completed an evaluation of demographic information and cognitive changes. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used. Data were analyzed using SPSS v23. Among BCS who completed the evaluation, 82 (54%) were CAU, and 62 (41%) were AA. Many BCS were employed (32%) or disabled/retired (51%). CAU were more likely to be married than AA BCS (p<0.01). More CAU self-reported “poor/below average” in domains of memory, ability to think, speed of problem solving, and ability to pay attention than AA BCS (p<0.01). CAU were more likely than AA BCS to report “moderately” or “very much/extremely” in changes in ability to think (p<0.01), speed of problem solving (p=0.02), and ability to pay attention (p=0.01) since completion of breast cancer treatment. CAU BCS self-reported poorer cognitive function and changes since cancer treatment. Differences in self-reported changes between AA and CAU may be contributed to geographic location, racial differences in perception of cognitive function, or marital status. Race-related stigmas may affect self-reporting of cognitive function. Future research is warranted to examine factors that contribute to racial differences in cognitive function and interventions aimed at improving cognitive function among both AA and CAU BCS. Acknowledgement: Think Well is supported by a grant from the North Central Alabama Affiliate of Susan G. Komen. Authors are also supported by funding: Susan G. Komen Graduate Traineeship in Disparities Research, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholarship, and American Cancer Society Doctoral Degree Scholarship in Cancer Nursing (DSCN-17-076-01). Citation Format: Kayla A. Lewis, Jacqueline B. Vo, Kendra J. Royston, Silvia Gisiger-Camata, Karen Meneses. Comparing self-reported cognitive function among Caucasian and African American breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5275.