Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Publication Date
4-1-2025
Journal
Breast
Abstract
Purpose: This study evaluated self-reported cognitive function in older breast cancer survivors and its association with prior chemotherapy.
Materials and methods: Breast cancer survivors aged 65-years and older, diagnosed 2012-2013, with local and regional stage disease, were identified through the linked Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare dataset. Survivors completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-CogV3) instrument and provided demographic and clinical data. A PCI--sub-score of less than 54 was used to identify cognitive impairment. Linear regression models were used to examine the FACT-CogV3 primary score, and logistic regression models evaluated the PCI--sub-score.
Results: Of 4448 eligible survivors, 1594 (35.8 %) completed the FACT-Cog and 1065 completed all questions. The median time from diagnosis to survey completion was 68 months The median age at survey completion was 76 years. 26 % of patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy. In adjusted models, decreased FACT-Cog primary scores were associated with age 80-years and older (p<0.01 vs. age 65-69) and with depression (p < 0.01), and increased scores were associated with an education of 4-year college and above (p = 0.01). For the PCI-subscale, 243 patients (27.9 %) reported PCI-score <54. In the adjusted models, patients who were older than 80-years were more likely to report perceived cognitive impairment (OR 3.03, vs age 65-69), as well as those with depression (OR 6.19, p < 0.01). Prior chemotherapy was not a significant predictor of PCI (OR 1.49, p = 0.06).
Conclusion: Adjuvant chemotherapy was not significantly associated with self-reported cognitive impairment in older breast cancer survivors 5-6 years after diagnosis.
Keywords
Geriatric oncology, Health outcomes, Breast cancer survivor, Chemotherapy treatment, Cognitive impairment, Survey linked-data
DOI
10.1016/j.breast.2025.104468
PMID
40184733
PMCID
PMC11999672
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
4-1-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Included in
Bioinformatics Commons, Biomedical Informatics Commons, Genetic Phenomena Commons, Medical Genetics Commons, Oncology Commons