Cognitive Studies for Cancer Survivors in India: Is This the Right Time or Should we Cross the Bridge only When we will Come to it?

Introduction and Rationale

Cancer is gradually emerging as leading cause of deaths in India with more than 2.5 million patients suffering from the disease.[1] This increase in incidence can either be attributed to increased lifespan and better diagnostic techniques or it may reflect a realistic pattern due to exposure to risk factors for cancer.

India is still grappling with overwhelmingly poor outcomes in cancer patients due to a variety of reasons including late stages at presentation, delay in diagnosis due to poor referral system, capricious public health-care system and infrastructure, high abandonment rates, and lack of availability of newer drugs, whereas developed world is now focusing on perspectives such as de-escalation of therapies, preservation of fertility, cardiotoxicity, and cognitive issues that help cancer survivors getting better quality of life (qol) and living a more productive life. Through this commentary, we have focused on the aspect of cognition related to chemotherapy or cancer per se and its relevance to India. Besides, we have also proposed the schema of studies that need to be conducted and challenges ahead.

Cancer-induced cognitive dysfunction encompasses range of difficulties that tend to include relatively subtle changes in memory, concentration, and executive function that can show up in the weeks during and months after completion of cancer treatment and persist thereafter in up to 75% of cancer patients.[2]

The etiology of cognitive deficits in cancer patients could be multifactorial (psychological stress, occurrence of cancer itself, brain irradiation, intrathecal chemotherapy, direct treatment for brain cancer or metastasis, and systemic chemotherapy). Its importance lies in the significant distress in professional reintegration, interpersonal relationships, and leisure activities. This might also affect future qol and might bring a feeling of worthlessness.

Publication History

Article published online:
17 June 2021

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