Sheila Garland, PhD, MSc, Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada talks about the cognitive effects cancer can have on patients, beyond treatment side effects, and the direct impacts these can make on patients’ lives and care.
Cancer-related treatment factors and behavioral and psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis both need to be considered when treating patients for cancer because of both of these elements can cause problems with cognition, explains Sheila Garland, PhD, MSc, associate professor of psychology and oncology at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada in this interview from SLEEP 2023.
Transcript
Can you describe how the pathophysiologies of cancer and cognitive functioning intersect, and what are key aspects to consider when describing this relationship and formulating treatment plans?
When you're thinking about cancer and cognition, you really have to consider both treatment-related factors as well as behavioral and psychological factors. The treatment-related factors could be, “What sort of treatments have they received? Were they systemic? Were they targeted?” So, you might have some treatment effects that would directly be impacting cognition, but whenever you're thinking about somebody being diagnosed with cancer, there's also lifestyle, behavioral, and psychological consequences that also influence the cognition. There's a high rate of depression and anxiety which can influence cognition.
If you're very anxious, you're often thinking about other things, which can make it more difficult for you to pay attention or concentrate. Your lifestyle also gets disrupted, so you might not do things that you used to do, which would be protective for cognitive functioning. You might stop being as physically active as you were, or you might take time off work, which, if you're not challenging your brain, you might notice some other changes. So, it really needs to be a comprehensive understanding of what's going on with the individual, both during treatment and after treatment, because we see cognitive impairment happening, but it also doesn't end with the completion of treatment. So, there's something else going on there as well.
POSITIVE Trial Update on Patients With Breast Cancer Attempting Pregnancy
December 8th 2023At last year’s San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, POSITIVE trial primary outcome data were presented on breast cancer–free interval, with women who paused endocrine therapy to attempt pregnancy having a similarly small rate of recurrence vs external controls from the SOFT and TEXT trials: 8.9% vs 9.2%.
Read More
New Insights on Breast Cancer Outcomes Among Sexual, Gender Minorities
December 7th 2023Despite there being a great demand for data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity in the cancer space, individuals who identify as a sexual and gender minority remain poorly represented.
Read More
Oncology Onward: A Conversation With Thyme Care CEO and Cofounder Robin Shah
October 2nd 2023Robin Shah, CEO of Thyme Care, which he founded in 2020 with Bobby Green, MD, president and chief medical officer, joins hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, to discuss his evolution as an entrepreneur in oncology care innovation and his goal of positively changing how patients experience the cancer system.
Listen
Exagamglogene Autotemcel Meets End Points in Severe Sickle Cell Disease, β-Thalassemia
December 7th 2023Two posters set to be presented at the 65th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting & Exposition met their primary and secondary end points regarding exagamglogene autotemcel therapy for sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia.
Read More
ASH 2023 to Highlight Options in Care for Blood Diseases—for Those Who Have Access
December 7th 2023The 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting & Exposition, which runs Friday through Tuesday in the San Diego Convention Center, will showcase the growing number of treatment choices in blood cancers and disorders.
Read More