Investigating executive functioning and episodic future thinking in Iranian women with breast cancer

Abstract

Background This study examined executive functioning and episodic future thinking among Iranian women with breast cancer. Method We recruited 40 healthy female community volunteers and 80 females with breast cancer (either currently undergoing chemotherapy n = 40 or not undergoing chemotherapy n = 40). Participants were assessed using cognitive tasks that assessed executive functioning and episodic future thinking and a measure of cancer-related fatigue. Results Both cancer groups had poorer performance than controls on all measures of executive functioning and episodic future thinking. Those undergoing chemotherapy had poorer performance on all measures of executive functioning than those not undergoing chemotherapy. Cross-sectional mediation analyses revealed cancer-related fatigue had a significant mediator role between cancer group and executive functioning and episodic future thinking. Conclusion Those with breast cancer, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, may be experiencing cognitive difficulties. These cognitive concerns should be considered by health teams as addressing these impairments may assist in improving quality of life and treatment adherence.