Dear Colleagues,

The continuing improvement of early detection and screening measures, as well as advancements in treatments, coupled with a progressively aging population, has resulted in increased numbers of cancer survivors. This, in turn, has led to increased interest in and emphasis on assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) o this population. Clinical trials and comparative effectiveness studies are being designed accordingly, including long-term follow-up to assess late effects of treatment and HRQoL in addition to the more traditional assessments of cancer outcomes, such as survival or other clinical parameters.

In light of this, we have proposed a Special Issue of Cancers dedicated to exploring the recent developments in HRQoL in the context of cancer survivorship. We welcome submissions focusing on clinical trials and other studies assessing long-term HRQoL trajectories; methodological papers, including both qualitative and quantitative research into HRQoL in cancer survivorship, are also of interest.

In recognition of the many demands on researchers and clinicians’ time, we have proposed a six-month window between acceptance of inclusion into the Special Issue and submission of a final draft of the manuscript for peer review.

Please notify us of your interest and proposed title by 30 September 2023. You will be notified of our decision to accept by 31 October 2023. Final manuscripts should be submitted by 31 March 2024 for publication on 31 July 2024.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
Prof. Dr. Thomas Licht
Prof. Dr. Richard Crevenna
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• cancer survivors
• oncology
• psycho-oncology
• health-related quality of life
• patient-reported outcome measures
• self-report

Title: “Is my brain ever going to work fully again?”: Challenges and Needs of Cancer Survivors with Persistent Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Dr. Darren Haywood 1,2,3*, Evan Dauer 2, Dr. Frank. D Baughman 4, Dr. Blake Lawrence 4, Prof. Susan L. Rossell 2,5, A/Prof Nicolas H. Hart 1,6,7,8,9 & A/Prof Moira O’Connor 4
Affiliation: 1 Human Performance Research Centre, INSIGHT Research Institute, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), NSW, Australia. 2 Department of Mental Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, VIC, Australia.   3 Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 4 School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia. 5 Centre for Mental Health and Brain Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC, Australia 6 Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, SA, Australia. 7 Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), QLD, Australia. 8 Exercise Medicine Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Science, Edith Cowan University, WA, Australia 9 Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, WA, Australia
Abstract: A significant proportion of people who have undergone cancer therapy experience negative impacts on their cognitive ability [1]. Cancer survivors often describe this phenomenon as a ‘fog’ that impacts various cognitive domains, including memory, concentration, speed of information processing, and decision-making [1]. This ‘fog’ is commonly referred to as cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI). CRCI can significantly impact a person’s identity, relationships, and workplace confidence [16]. There is a significant need for a purpose-built needs assessment for persistent CRCI that is relevant across cancer and treatment types and provides information for health professionals to facilitate the optimal choice of treatment, support, and referral options [19]. The development of a widely applicable, purpose-built, needs assessment for persistent CRCI first requires an in-depth understanding of CRCI specific challenges, and associated needs, based on an established quality of life framework. An in-depth qualitative study design was used to explore the perceived challenges resulting from CRCI and the associated needs of cancer survivors and health professionals. 51 people were interviewed (19 oncology health professionals, 32 cancer survivors), and the data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings were organised into 5 overarching themes: (1) executing regular activities, (2) relational difficulties, (3) occupational functioning, (4) psychological distress, and (5) social functioning. In addition, informational needs related to CRCI was a key element that both groups of participants discussed. Ultimately, CRCI is associated with a wide range of difficulties that negatively and persistently impact a cancer survivor’s quality of life. There is also a range of unmet needs directly associated with CRCI specific difficulties, and no practical, purpose-built tool to support health professionals to explicitly understand the specific needs of each cancer survivor. This research should be used to inform future challenges and needs assessment tools as well as treatment and supportive care priority areas directly relating to CRCI.