Cancer Survivorship and Subjective Cognitive Decline in the United States

PURPOSE: Studies examining the link between cancer survivorship and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are lacking. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the association between cancer survivorship and SCD among a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older adults. METHOD: Data were obtained from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey. Crude and adjusted logistic regression models, controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational level, income, and work status, were used to determine the association between cancer survivorship characteristics and SCD. RESULTS: Respondents who were currently undergoing treatment had 86% higher odds of SCD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.06, 3.27]) compared to respondents who completed treatment. However, those who refused treatment were less likely to report SCD (aOR = 0.006; 95% CI [<0.001, 0.059]) compared to respondents who completed treatment. CONCLUSION: Cognition interventions may be helpful for individuals diagnosed with cancer who are undergoing treatment, middle-aged, and have not started treatment.