title: The Relationship between Visuospatial Memory and Coping Strategies in Breast Cancer Survivors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the US there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors (BCSs), most of whom have required some type of intensive treatment. How individuals cope with the treatment process may relate to why neurocognitive problems arise.
  
  
  METHODS
  We explored the impact of treatment for breast cancer (BC) on performance of the Memory Island task, both on working memory and on the general index of cognitive performance in relation to coping strategies of BCSs compared to age-matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evidence obtained suggests a reduced performance in visuospatial memory in BCSs. Those who used emotional coping strategies displayed reduced performance in visuospatial learning and immediate memory. Those women who used problem-focused coping strategies performed better in those tasks measuring psychomotor speed, general intelligence, and delayed visuospatial memory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that further investigation of the relationship between coping strategies and performance on visuospatial tasks may provide useful information on residual levels of neurocognitive deficits and psychosocial adaptation in BCSs.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Psychology Program.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayala-Feliciano
authors.forename: Jaime J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pons-Valerio
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pons-Madera
authors.forename: Summer F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Acevedo