Background/Objectives:Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is common and distressing for young adult (YA) cancer survivors; however, subjective CRCI is often attributed to psychological distress rather than true cognitive change. Thus, we aimed to generate hypotheses regarding potential common biobehavioral mechanisms of CRCI and psychological distress.Methods:We conducted semi-structured interviews with YA cancer survivors in peak years for frontal neurocognitive development (ages 18–30), and we asked them to describe their experiences with cognitive and mental health changes during and after treatment for their cancer. An applied thematic analysis was used to identify themes.Results:The participants were 20 YA cancer survivors who were, on average, 23 years old at diagnosis and 26 years old when interviewed. Five themes emerged regarding the connection between cognitive and mental health: depressed mood after diagnosis that decreased mental engagement, cancer-related anxiety consumed cognitive resources during treatment, a bidirectional “downward spiral” during treatment, frustration with forgetfulness, and self-criticism about long-term cognitive limitations. Additionally, participants described receiving minimal information about evidence-based strategies for managing CRCI.Conclusions:Future research is needed to examine common neurological mechanisms among symptoms of depression, anxiety, and CRCI and to address gaps in survivorship care for YA survivors with CRCI. Cognitive–behavioral interventions may address both cognitive and mental health.
背景/目的：癌症相关认知障碍（CRCI）在年轻成人癌症幸存者中普遍存在且令人困扰；然而，主观性CRCI常被归因于心理困扰而非真实的认知变化。因此，本研究旨在提出关于CRCI与心理困扰潜在共同生物行为机制的假设。 方法：我们对处于额叶神经认知发育高峰期（18-30岁）的年轻成人癌症幸存者进行了半结构化访谈，请他们描述在癌症治疗期间及治疗后认知与心理健康的变化经历。采用应用主题分析法识别核心主题。 结果：20名参与访谈的年轻成人癌症幸存者确诊时平均年龄23岁，访谈时平均年龄26岁。研究揭示了认知与心理健康关联的五大主题：确诊后情绪低落导致心理投入减少、治疗期间癌症相关焦虑消耗认知资源、治疗期间认知与心理的"恶性循环"双向作用、对健忘现象的挫败感，以及对长期认知局限的自我批判。此外，参与者普遍反映未获得关于CRCI循证管理策略的有效信息。 结论：未来研究需深入探讨抑郁、焦虑症状与CRCI的共同神经机制，并弥补年轻成人CRCI幸存者延续性照护的不足。认知行为干预可能对认知功能和心理健康产生双重改善作用。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家