Indiana University, School of Nursing, 1111 Middle Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2013 Apr;17(2):236-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2012.06.002. Epub 2012 Aug 14.
Cognitive impairment is commonly reported by breast cancer survivors, yet little is known regarding its impact on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to obtain a better understanding of breast cancer survivors' experiences of perceived cognitive impairment, its trajectory, and its impact on relationships, daily functioning, work and overall life satisfaction after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The results are based on qualitative interviews with 22 breast cancer survivors who reported cognitive impairment and who were at least 1 year post-chemotherapy treatment. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a content analysis approach.
Breast cancer survivors' primarily expressed concerns in 6 major domains including: short-term memory, long-term memory, speed of processing, attention and concentration, language and executive functioning. Concerns emerged as salient after treatment ended as other problems resolved. All of the survivors found these impairments frustrating, and some also reported these changes as detrimental to their self-confidence and social relationships. Employed survivors reported working harder to perform tasks and use of compensatory strategies to complete work tasks. Validation of perceived cognitive impairment by family, friends, and healthcare providers was perceived as important to adjustment.
Perceived cognitive deficits have broad implications for the well-being of breast cancer survivors. Study findings underscore the broad consequences of this symptom, provide direction for theory development, measurement selection, and additional intervention targets. A greater understanding of cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors may lead to the development of effective treatment of this symptom.
认知障碍在乳腺癌幸存者中较为常见，但人们对其对生活质量的影响知之甚少。本研究的目的是更好地了解乳腺癌幸存者对感知认知障碍的体验、其轨迹以及其对人际关系、日常生活功能、工作和整体生活满意度的影响，这些影响发生在乳腺癌诊断和治疗之后。
研究结果基于对 22 名报告认知障碍且化疗治疗后至少 1 年的乳腺癌幸存者的定性访谈。访谈进行了录音、逐字转录，并采用内容分析法进行分析。
乳腺癌幸存者主要在 6 个主要领域表达了担忧，包括：短期记忆、长期记忆、处理速度、注意力和集中力、语言和执行功能。这些担忧在治疗结束后变得明显，因为其他问题得到了解决。所有幸存者都觉得这些损伤令人沮丧，一些幸存者还报告说这些变化对他们的自信心和社交关系造成了损害。在职幸存者报告说，为了完成任务，他们更加努力地工作，并使用补偿策略来完成工作任务。家庭、朋友和医疗保健提供者对感知认知障碍的认可被认为对调整很重要。
感知认知缺陷对乳腺癌幸存者的幸福感有广泛的影响。研究结果强调了这一症状的广泛后果，为理论发展、测量选择和其他干预目标提供了方向。对乳腺癌幸存者认知障碍的进一步了解可能会导致对这一症状的有效治疗。
