Evaluating cognitive complaints in breast cancer survivors with the FACT-Cog and quantitative electroencephalography

Targeted methods for evaluating cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer survivors are needed to effectively address this important survivorship issue. To address this need, we examined the validity of a self-report instrument (The functional assessment of cancer therapy: cognitive function; FACT-Cog) regarding correspondence with neuropsychological performance versus depression and evaluated neurophysiological biomarkers of cognition and depressed mood in a sample of breast cancer survivors several years from diagnosis.

This is a cross-sectional study sample from the prospective observational Mind Body Study. Recruited participants were breast cancer survivors at least 3 years from cancer diagnosis who were part of a longitudinal cohort, and were without current psychiatric disorder or history of a neurological or cognitive disorder at baseline (after completion of primary cancer treatment). Exploratory analysis of the FACT-Cog and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) were conducted, with respect to their association with neuropsychological domain scores and depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, 2nd edition (BDI-II).

Self-reported cognitive abilities and the impact of cognitive dysfunction on quality of life were associated with memory function in addition to depressive symptoms in our sample of breast cancer survivors. qEEG measures exhibit differential patterns of association with neuropsychological performance and mood.

Our findings indicate that perceived cognitive abilities and the impact of cognitive difficulties on quality of life are valid indicators of objective cognitive function, independent of depressive symptoms. Neurophysiological correlates of cognitive function and depressive symptoms represent promising biomarkers of these behavioral difficulties in survivorship.