SY19-3CACD: Attitudes of medical staff in cancer care toward symptoms in cancer survivors, and our current approaches

Abstract The development of cancer therapy has increased the number of cancer survivors, but also increased the need for supportive care in cancer. By enlightening and educating oncologist and those who provide supportive care in cancer, physical and psychological care can be provided even in general hospitals. On the other hand, cancer-associated cognitive decline (CACD) is well known and studied in western countries, but is less known by both Japanese cancer patients and medical staff. We previously reported that (i) perceived cognitive impairment (PCI) in breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy was not uncommon and was frequently unrecognized by other people, and (ii) the number of PCIs was significantly correlated with depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors treated with chemotherapy. Another survey we conducted on the attitudes of medical staff in cancer care toward symptoms in cancer survivors during treatment revealed that medical staff did not actively check for CACD even though they recognized that CACD was one of the barriers for survivors’ returning to social activities. At the symposium, the findings of our previous studies and our current activities related to CACD will be discussed.