Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109734

Deidre A. Patterson, MPH, Carolyn Messner, DSW, MSW, and Les Gallo-Silver, MSW. Cancer Care, 39639 Leslie St., #242, Fremont, CA 94538, 510-490-2932, deidre74@aol.com

The impact of chemotherapy on cancer patient's quality-of-life has been well documented in the literature. Fatigue, nausea, vomiting, risk of infection and hair loss are common side effects of cancer treatments. Chemobrain, cognitive dysfunction, involving memory loss and changes, and attention deficits, has recently been described in oncology literature. Although researchers have begun to focus on this phenomenon, many cancer patients suffer with these problems. This exploratory study sought to explore: a novel method to educate patients about chemobrain; patients' perceptions of the problem; and their coping with the cognitive sequalae of treatment. An innovative, sixty minute telephone workshop intervention on chemobrain, with a multidisciplinary panel of experts, was conducted for a national audience. Questionnaire survey responses from 58 people with cancer (aged 31 to 80 years), who participated in this teleconference, were part of the convenient sample to identify: reason for listening to the telephone workshop, impact on quality-of-life and change in their knowledge of the problem. The findings from this study indicate that: chemobrain is a concern to and poses unique problems for cancer patients; the teleconference format was conducive to their learning; and participants learned new information to help them manage. The results of this pilot study data analysis suggest that more research and knowledge dissemination is needed about this topic.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify the causes of chemobrain;
• Describe four symptoms of chemobrain;
• Discuss five interventions to help patients cope;
• Replicate the program.

Keywords: Cancer, Mental Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.