Impact of Cognitive Function and Cancer Coping on Quality of Life among Women with Post-chemotherapy Breast Cancer

Influence of body image on quality of life in breast cancer patients undergoing breast reconstruction: Mediating of self-esteem

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is considered as a major health problem for women, and the prevalence is increasing over the world. Research to improve their quality of life is necessary.

PURPOSE

This study was to examine the body image and self-esteem of breast cancer patients who underwent breast reconstruction in order to determine whether these affect their quality of life.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. This study was conducted on 140 patients who underwent breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery at S University Hospital in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Measures were the general characteristics list, body image scale, self-esteem scale, and the Korean version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Version 4 for quality of life. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, linear regression, and process macro bootstrapping for mediation effect. Data were collected from October 2020 to March 2021.

RESULTS

The path regression coefficient was 1.59 (p < .001), and the direct effect of body image on the quality of life was 1.34 (p < .001) considering the effect of self-esteem, which is a parameter. This confirmed that self-esteem mediates body image and quality of life. The explanatory power of self-esteem for quality of life was 54%.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that body image and self-esteem are important factors in the quality of life of breast cancer patients who underwent breast reconstruction. Also, the self-esteem has a mediating effect in the relationship between body image and quality of life.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

In clinical practice, nurses should focus on the body image and self-esteem of breast cancer patients who have undergone breast reconstruction in order to improve their quality of life.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

This cross-sectional descriptive design study was conducted on patients who underwent breast reconstruction following breast cancer surgery at hospital in South Korea.

Childhood Abuse and Cognitive Function in a Large Cohort of Middle-Aged Women

Cognitive function at middle age is of particular public health interest, as it strongly predicts later dementia. Children who have experienced abuse subsequently have worse cognitive function than those who have not. However, it remains unclear whether the association of abuse with cognitive function persists into middle age. In 2014-2016, 14,151 women ages 49-69 years who had previously responded to a childhood abuse questionnaire completed a cognitive battery. In models adjusted for childhood socioeconomic status and head trauma, combined physical, emotional, and sexual abuse was associated with lower scores on both Learning/Working Memory (severe abuse, lower scores similar to that observed in women 4.8 years older in our data) and Psychomotor Speed/Attention (severe abuse, lower scores similar to that observed in women to 2.9 years older in our data). Adjustment for adulthood socioeconomic status and health factors (e.g., smoking, hypertension) slightly attenuated associations. In exploratory analyses further adjusted for psychological distress, associations were attenuated. Women exposed versus unexposed to childhood abuse had poorer cognitive function at mid-life. Associations were particularly strong for learning and working memory and were not accounted for by adulthood health factors. Childhood abuse should be investigated as a potential risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in old age.

Computerized programs for cancer survivors with cognitive problems: a systematic review

PURPOSE

This study aimed to review and identify characteristics and lessons learned from studies on computerized cognitive interventions for cancer survivors (CSs) with cognitive dysfunction, exploring the content and results of interventions.

METHODS

Studies were collected from the CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases.

RESULTS

Seven articles that met the inclusion criteria were included. Reviewed studies measured objective cognitive function, subjective cognitive function, and psychological aspects. Computerized interventions for CSs with cognitive decline were effective for executive function, memory, working memory, and speed of thought in the domain of objective cognitive function. Some subjective cognitive functions also showed significant improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Computerized cognitive interventions have a positive impact on objective, subjective, and psychological aspects of cognitive problems. Further research needs to include more men as well as different cancer types. Programs also should include more than one target domain. Future researchers need to develop mobile applications that can effectively use computerized cognitive interventions.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Results of this study should help provide optimal approaches to develop and apply effective computerized-cognitive-intervention programs. Health care providers need to be involved in these types of interventions and methods to encourage CSs to proactively practice cognitive-function training need to be developed.