Kristen E Porter1. 1. University of Massachusetts Boston, USA. kristen.porter001@umb.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown a correlation between cancer and cognition referred to as "chemo brain." This study investigated the relationship between cancer and later-life cognition using nationally representative data. METHOD: Analysis of the 2006 Health and Retirement Study investigated the (a) effects of cancer survivorship on the total cognition score using linear regression in adults age 65+ (n = 9,814) and (b) the effects of cancer treatment on the total recall index using linear regression in adults age 50+ (n = 657). RESULTS: Total cognition score is not associated with cancer survivorship. The association between long-term cancer survivorship and cognition score was significant (p < .05; b = .276). Total recall index is not associated with chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: These results support other research suggesting that chemo brain may be biased by expectation as well as favored by research that relies upon self-reported cognitive measures versus cognitive testing. The study was limited by the cross-sectional design.
OBJECTIVE: Studies have shown a correlation between cancer and cognition referred to as "chemo brain." This study investigated the relationship between cancer and later-life cognition using nationally representative data. METHOD: Analysis of the 2006 Health and Retirement Study investigated the (a) effects of cancer survivorship on the total cognition score using linear regression in adults age 65+ (n = 9,814) and (b) the effects of cancer treatment on the total recall index using linear regression in adults age 50+ (n = 657). RESULTS: Total cognition score is not associated with cancer survivorship. The association between long-term cancer survivorship and cognition score was significant (p < .05; b = .276). Total recall index is not associated with chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: These results support other research suggesting that chemo brain may be biased by expectation as well as favored by research that relies upon self-reported cognitive measures versus cognitive testing. The study was limited by the cross-sectional design.
Authors: Joseph M Gullett; Ronald A Cohen; Gee Su Yang; Victoria S Menzies; Robert A Fieo; Debra L Kelly; Angela R Starkweather; Colleen K Jackson-Cook; Debra E Lyon Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2019-03-14 Impact factor: 3.894