Symptom experiences of cancer-related cognitive impairment in women with ovarian cancer
Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is one of the most prevalent and persistent symptoms reported by women with ovarian cancer. This study aims to comprehensively explore the symptom experience of CRCI in people/women with ovarian cancer. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eligible people/women with ovarian cancer in Cancer Center of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The interview guide and data coding were developed based on the symptom management theory. Qualitative content analysis was utilized to identify and refine key themes and sub-themes. The study included 31 participants with a mean age of 51.38 years (range: 25-65 years) and a median time since diagnosis of one year (range: 0.35-14.2 years). Four themes and ten sub-themes were identified: Theme 1 CRCI Perception, including two subthemes: 'Experiencing subtle cognitive decline' and 'No feeling or no opportunity to feel the changes in cognitive function'. Theme 2 CRCI Attribution, including three subthemes: 'social disengagement and values reconstruction' 'symptom entanglement' and 'surgical anesthesia and chemotherapy'. Theme 3 CRCI Impacts: 'contained life disruption' and 'eroded self-efficacy'. Theme 4 Adaptive responses: 'cognitive load reduction' 'Compensatory strategies' and 'Passive acceptance'. The majority of women with ovarian cancer in this study reported experiencing CRCI, primarily characterized by memory and attention deficits. Sociocultural context and individual cancer copying style played an important role on the CRCI symptom experience, underscoring the need for culturally sensitive, patient-centered interventions to address CRCI in ovarian cancer care.