. 2023 Nov 8;15(22):5331.

doi: 10.3390/cancers15225331.

"Is My Brain Ever Going to Work Fully Again?": Challenges and Needs of Cancer Survivors with Persistent Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

Darren Haywood^{1

2

3

4}, Evan Dauer³, Frank D Baughman⁵, Blake J Lawrence⁵, Susan L Rossell^{3

6}, Nicolas H Hart^{1

7

8

9

10}, Moira O'Connor⁵

Affiliations

¹ Human Performance Research Centre, INSIGHT Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Moore Park, NSW 2021, Australia.
² Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
³ Department of Mental Health, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
⁵ School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
⁷ Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Park, SA 5042, Australia.
⁸ Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia.
⁹ Exercise Medicine Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.
¹⁰ Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.

PMID: 38001592
PMCID: PMC10669848
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225331

"Is My Brain Ever Going to Work Fully Again?": Challenges and Needs of Cancer Survivors with Persistent Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

Darren Haywood et al. Cancers (Basel). 2023.

. 2023 Nov 8;15(22):5331.

doi: 10.3390/cancers15225331.

Authors

Darren Haywood^{1

2

3

4}, Evan Dauer³, Frank D Baughman⁵, Blake J Lawrence⁵, Susan L Rossell^{3

6}, Nicolas H Hart^{1

7

8

9

10}, Moira O'Connor⁵

Affiliations

¹ Human Performance Research Centre, INSIGHT Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Moore Park, NSW 2021, Australia.
² Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
³ Department of Mental Health, St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
⁵ School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.
⁶ Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia.
⁷ Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Park, SA 5042, Australia.
⁸ Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia.
⁹ Exercise Medicine Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia.
¹⁰ Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.

PMID: 38001592
PMCID: PMC10669848
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15225331

Abstract

Many cancer survivors experience cognitive impairments that impact memory, concentration, speed of information processing, and decision making. These impairments, collectively known as cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCIs), are a key domain of unmet needs and can significantly impact a cancer survivor's identity and quality of life. However, there are no purpose-built, multi-domain, needs assessment tools specifically for CRCI. The development of such tools requires an in-depth understanding of cancer survivors' CRCI-specific challenges and associated needs. This study explored the challenges and associated needs of cancer survivors with persistent CRCI. An in-depth qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with (a) cancer survivors with perceived CRCI (n = 32) and (b) oncology health professionals (n = 19) was utilised. A reflexive thematic analysis of the interviews resulted in five overarching themes: (1) executing regular activities, (2) relational difficulties, (3) occupational functioning, (4) psychological distress, and (5) social functioning, as well as an additional informational needs domain. Ultimately, CRCI was found to directly produce a range of challenges that negatively, and persistently, impact cancer survivors' quality of life. Cancer survivors were also found to have a range of needs associated with these challenges. This research should be used to inform future challenges and needs assessment tools as well as treatment and supportive care priority areas directly relating to CRCI.

Keywords: cancer survivors; cancer-related cognitive impairment; caregivers; challenges; chemobrain; health professionals; needs; qualitative; quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

**Figure 1**
Overarching Themes and Corresponding Sub-Themes.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

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"Is My Brain Ever Going to Work Fully Again?": Challenges and Needs of Cancer Survivors with Persistent Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

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"Is My Brain Ever Going to Work Fully Again?": Challenges and Needs of Cancer Survivors with Persistent Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment

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