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Changes in perceived attentional function in women following breast cancer surgery

  • Epidemiology
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Abstract

After treatment for breast cancer, many women experience cognitive problems, as determined by objective neuropsychological tests. However, the ecological validity of these tests has been questioned. This study explored the trajectory of perceived attentional function from before to 24 months after surgery in women with breast cancer and examined the effect of adjuvant treatment on this perceived attentional function. Women with breast cancer (N = 200) were assessed for perceived cognitive function by measuring attentional function using the attentional function index (AFI). Covariates included anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Perceived attentional function declined in 54% of women at 1 month after surgery. At 1 and 2 years after surgery, 41 and 30% of women, respectively, still perceived this decline. The mean AFI decreased to the lowest point 1 month after surgery, but improved gradually afterward, taking about 1 year to return to the pre-surgery level. Decreases in perceived attentional function were associated with increases in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. After controlling for baseline differences and covariates, mean AFI scores were not associated with adjuvant treatment. Perceived cognitive function deteriorated after surgery but improved over time. It was not associated with adjuvant cancer treatment.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Science Council of Taiwan (Grant number 94-2314-B-182-025, 95-2314-B-182-005, and 96-2628-B-182-032 to MLC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate Institute of Nursing, Chang Gung University, 259 Wen-Hwa 1st Road, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan

    Mei-Ling Chen

  2. Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Christine Miaskowski

  3. Department of Nursing, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan

    Li-Ni Liu

  4. Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan

    Shin-Cheh Chen

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  1. Mei-Ling Chen
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  2. Christine Miaskowski
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Correspondence to Mei-Ling Chen.

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Chen, ML., Miaskowski, C., Liu, LN. et al. Changes in perceived attentional function in women following breast cancer surgery. Breast Cancer Res Treat 131, 599–606 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-011-1760-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-011-1760-3

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