Cognitive Problems and Management in Breast Cancer

The fact that patients have a longer lifespan as a result of significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer increases the importance of long-term symptom management in breast cancer survivors (BCS). Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is one of the most common complaints expressed by BCS in the clinic. CRCI may be ignored due to the physical side effects of cancer treatments. For this reason, CRCI should be evaluated with appropriate methods as soon as the patient is diagnosed with breast cancer and during the cancer treatment and managed through appropriate treatment at the earliest stage. The purpose of this chapter is to point out that the consequences of breast cancer and its treatment are not based solely on physical symptoms, but that cognitive health is as important as physical health for BCS.