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CC BY 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1814728
Original Article

Changes in Memory, Cognitive Function, and Pattern of Distress among Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Study from a Tertiary Cancer Center

Autor*innen

  • Neeha Jose 

    1   Division of Psycho-oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Jisha Abraham 

    1   Division of Psycho-oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Velandi K. Sobhith

    1   Division of Psycho-oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Praveen K. Shenoy

    2   Division of Medical Oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Kumbakara Ratheesan

    3   Department of Cancer Registry and Epidemiology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Balasubramanian Satheesan

    4   Department of Surgical Oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Geetha Muttath

    5   Department of Radiation Oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

  • Ramani Gangadharan Ashitha

    6   Division of Gynecology and Breast Oncology, Malabar Cancer Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Sciences and Research, Kannur, Kerala, India

Funding None.
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Abstract

Introduction

Cancer-related cognitive impairment is an unexplored area, which can be distressing and can affect the daily functioning and quality of life of a cancer patient.

Objective

The aim of the study was to find the changes in memory, cognitive function, and pattern of distress among breast cancer patients and survivors using a cross-sectional comparative study design.

Materials and Methods

Women diagnosed with early breast cancer, aged between 20 and 60 years and planned for or those who underwent chemotherapy were included. Seventy-nine participants (survivors [N = 27], postchemotherapy patients [N = 27], and prechemotherapy patients [N = 25]) were assessed using the Post-Graduate Institute Memory Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, and Distress Inventory for Cancer.

Results

Most of the survivors and postchemotherapy patients had increased cognitive (p = 0.02) and memory impairment (p = 0.057) than prechemotherapy patients. Memory was positively correlated with cognitive function (p = 0.000, r = 0.669) and negatively correlated with distress (p = 0.045, r = –0.226). Memory (p < 0.001) and cognitive functioning (p = 0.002) were better with higher education levels. Older participants had higher memory impairment (p = 0.05, r = –0.218).

Conclusion

The study concluded that there was cognitive decline and distress among breast cancer patients and survivors after completion of chemotherapy. Thus, the study highlights the importance of psychotherapeutic interventions to prevent and manage changes in memory, cognitive decline, and distress among breast cancer patients and survivors.

Keywords

breast cancer - neurocognition - memory - distress - survivors

Authors' Contributions

N.J.: Conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, project administration, resources, writing-original draft, and writing-review and editing.

J.A.: Conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, project administration, resources, supervision, writing-original draft, and writing-review and editing.

S.V.K.: Conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, project administration, resources, supervision, writing-original draft, and writing-review and editing.

P.K.S.V.P.: Conceptualization, project administration, resources, writing-original draft, and writing-review and editing.

R.K.: Formal analysis, methodology, writing-original draft, and writing-review and editing.

S.B.: Conceptualization, project administration, resources, and writing-review and editing.

G.M.: Project administration, resources, and writing-review and editing.

A.R.G.: Project administration, resources, and writing-review and editing.




Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
04. Januar 2026

© 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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