title: Prevalence of self-reported memory problems in adult cancer survivors: a national cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cancer and its treatments can impair cognitive function, especially memory, leading to diminished quality of life. Prevalence studies of cancer treatment-related memory impairment have not been conducted in the adult-onset cancer population.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine the prevalence of self-reported memory (SRM) problems in people with and without a history of cancer, we analyzed data from a large, nationally representative sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population. Participants answered the yes-or-no question, "Are you limited in any way because of difficulty remembering or because you experience periods of confusion?" Age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, poverty, and general health were controlled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample (N = 9,819) consisted of 4,862 men and 4,957 women age 40 years and older. There were 1,938 blacks, 5,552 whites, 1,998 Hispanics, and 331 participants categorized as other race/multiracial. Of these, 1,305 reported a history of cancer; 8,514 did not. Memory problems were self-reported more often by participants with a history of cancer (14%) than by those without (8%). Having had cancer was independently associated with SRM impairment (adjusted odds ratio, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.83). Other predictors of memory impairment were age, lower education, lower income, and poorer general health (P < .01 for all). Participants with cancer had a 40% greater likelihood of reporting memory problems relative to those without cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cancer history independently predicted SRM impairment. Prevalence of SRM impairment in people with a history of cancer/cancer treatment is substantial and increasing. Health care providers should assess and be ready to treat memory impairment in patients with a history of cancer.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; University of Miami; Holtz Children's Hospital, University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Miami, FL; University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester; and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jean-Pierre
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.forename: Tim A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ahles
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antoni
authors.forename: F Daniel
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Penedo
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lipshultz
authors.forename: Tracie L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fiscella