title: Attention and memory deficits in breast cancer survivors: implications for nursing practice and research.
abstract: Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) commonly report deficits in attention and memory, cognitive functions crucial for daily optimal functioning. Perceived deficits are reported before, during, and after adjuvant therapy and affect quality of life throughout survivorship. Deficits of attention and memory are particularly disruptive for BCSs working or attending school who report that subtle impairment diminishes their confidence and their performance at all levels of occupation. Chemotherapy and endocrine therapy contribute to attention and memory deficits, but research findings have not fully established the extent or timing of that influence. Fortunately, potential interventions for attention and memory deficits in BCSs are promising. These include cognitive remediation therapies aimed at training for specific areas of deficit, cognitive behavioral therapies aimed at developing compensatory strategies for areas of deficit, complementary therapies, and pharmacologic therapies.
authors.affiliation: Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Jennifer Sandson Frank, PhD, at jfranf@uab.edu. She is an Instructor at the School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. David E. Vance, PhD MGS, is an Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Angela Jukkala, PhD RN CNL CNE, is an Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Karen M. Meneses, PhD RN FAAN, is a Professor and Associate Dean for Research, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
authors.forename: Jennifer Sandson
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Vance
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jukkala
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Meneses
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen