Dr Adige on Improving QOL Post–Breast Cancer Treatment

Sunil Adige, MD, assistant professor, medicine, The George Washington Cancer Center, George Washington University, discusses factors that should be prioritized in post-treatment care to improve long-term quality of life (QOL) and reduce the risk of recurrence for breast cancer survivors during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed every October.

The top priority for breast cancer survivors post-treatment is maintaining regular follow-up visits with their oncologists, Adige begins. Although breast cancer is highly treatable and can often be eradicated, there is always a risk of recurrence, which makes ongoing monitoring essential, he states. Routine CT scans or PET scans are not typically included in post-treatment surveillance unless specific symptoms arise, according to Adige. Instead, oncologists focus on evaluating patients for new symptoms that could indicate a recurrence of breast cancer, either in the breast or in other areas of the body, Adige reports, noting that regular clinical check-ups allow health care providers to catch signs of recurrence early and intervene promptly.

Many patients experience adverse effects (AEs) as a result of chemotherapy, and these long-term toxicities can affect their QOL, he expands. Health care providers are increasingly focused on managing these issues to support survivors more effectively, Adige emphasizes. One common AE is cognitive dysfunction, often referred to as “brain fog,” where patients struggle with memory or mental clarity following chemotherapy, Adige notes. This cognitive impairment can be particularly challenging for survivors, affecting their daily lives, he explains.

At The George Washington Cancer Center, Adige says that colleagues are addressing this issue by initiating a clinical trial investigating the benefits of mental stimulation exercises for improving cognitive function in breast cancer survivors experiencing post-chemotherapy brain fog. The goal of this trial is to determine whether these exercises can enhance mental capacity and offer an additional layer of support for survivors dealing with this challenge. Adige is hopeful that the results will lead to better interventions, helping to improve long-term QOL for breast cancer survivors after treatment.