Abstract
BackgroundCognitive complaints are common in cancer survivors. We aimed to assess cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and the associated factors using a large web–based survey.MethodsThis online survey was proposed to cancer survivors. Participants completed several questions on cognitive complaints experience, expectations for support of cognitive difficulties, preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems and demographic and medical variables. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate Odds Ratios and 95% confidence intervals to estimate associations.ResultsAmong 1610 eligible participants (median age 52 [21‐84]), >85% (n = 1393) were breast cancer survivors. Median postcancer treatment time (excluding hormone therapy) was 2.83 years [0.8‐33]. Seventy five percent of the participants (n = 1214) reported cognitive complaints related to cancer treatments. Cognitive difficulties had an impact on work resumption for 76% of the participants (n = 754/982). Most cancer survivors would like to receive support (75%, n = 909) and especially cognitive training (72%, n = 658). Chemotherapy was strongly associated with cognitive complaints (multivariable OR = 3.67, 95% CI: 2.80‐4.82). Self–reported sleep difficulties (ORoften vs. never = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.80‐4.47), preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems (ORNo vs. Yes = 1.69, 95% CI: 1‐29‐2.22) and age (OR21‐64 vs. ≥65 = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23‐0.58) were also associated with cancer–related cognitive complaints.ConclusionsAccording to this large web–based survey including mainly breast cancer survivors, cognitive complaints were reported by three quarters of participants, which reinforces that cognitive difficulties are a major issue in cancer survivors. Chemotherapy, self–reported sleep difficulties and preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems were strongly associated with cancer–related cognitive complaints. Most cancer survivors wished to receive support and especially cognitive training.
Highlights
Cognitive complaints are common in cancer survivors
We further described the impact of cognitive difficulties on work resumption and explored participants’ expectations for support of cognitive disorders
Self–reported sleep difficulties (ORoften vs. never = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.80‐4.47), preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems (ORNo vs. Yes = 1.69, 95% CI: 1‐29‐2.22) and age (OR21‐64 vs. ≥65 = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23‐0.58) were associated with cancer–related cognitive complaints
Summary
Cognitive complaints are common in cancer survivors. We aimed to assess cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and the associated factors using a large web–based survey. Chemotherapy, self–reported sleep difficulties and preexisting knowledge about chemotherapy–associated cognitive problems were strongly associated with cancer–related cognitive complaints. Memory and attention complaints are common in cancer survivors even several years after treatments, mainly after chemotherapy or hormonal therapy.[1] These difficulties can have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life and disturb ability to work.[2,3,4]. Strongly related with psychological factors,[6,7] are important to identify and take into account due the significant impact they could have on the quality of life Even if these difficulties seem to be a transient problem, some cancer patients could have difficulties in the long run. Among older breast cancer survivors followed annually for 7 years, half of the patients followed a phase shift trajectory (this subgroup of patients had more cognitive complaints than older adults with no cancer history but followed a parallel trajectory to older adults with no cancer history) and a small subset presented accelerated cognitive decline.[8]
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