Patients with cancer often complain that their “mind does not seem to be clear.” This can be due to stress, depression or anxiety, or physical problems, or may be due to some cancer treatments. The purpose of this study is to better understand the effects of cancer treatments on thinking (cognitive) abilities and memory in breast cancer patients over age 60. Thinking abilities and memory may decrease with age, and the effects of some treatments could make this problem worse in older breast cancer patients.
This study will be one of the first to look at risks for changes in thinking in older cancer patients and how this may affect one’s quality of life. Researchers will also look at patients’ genes to see how they may be affected by the treatment. The results of this research will help doctors and patients in making decisions about cancer treatment, and also help to design better treatments and interventions for older women.
Participants will be asked to answer a series of brief questions about their general health, sources of support, activity level, and medical care, and complete activities that involve memory, language, and other mental abilities such as attention and concentration. These questionnaires and activities will need to be completed three times over a period of two years. Results will be compared between women with and without breast cancer.