PhD defence K.D. (Kimberly) van der Willik

Promotor
Prof.dr. M.A. Ikram
Promotor
Prof.dr. S.B. Schagen
Date
Tuesday 9 Feb 2021, 15:30 - 17:00
Type
PhD defence
Space
Professor Andries Querido room
Building
Education Center
Location
Erasmus MC
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On Tuesday 9 February 2021, K.D. van der Willik will defend her PhD dissertation, entitled: ‘Unravelling the Link Between Cancer, Cognition, and Dementia’.

Great improvements in cancer screening and treatment have ensured prolonged survival of many cancer patients. In turn, this has resulted in a growing number of patients and survivors who have to deal with long-term and late side effects of the disease itself and its treatment. Cognitive problems are among the most frequently reported side effects that can negatively affect daily functioning and quality of life. Knowledge of the origin and course of cognitive function is of great importance to develop prevention and intervention strategies for cognitive problems in non-central nervous system (CNS) cancer patients.

In this thesis, we focused on cognitive function from before to after cancer diagnosis in the general population of non-CNS cancer patients. We also studied the association between cancer and dementia, and focused on potential mechanisms underlying cognitive problems and dementia in non-CNS cancer patients. The studies presented in this thesis were embedded in the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective population-based cohort study in the Netherlands.

Due to corona, the PhD defences do not take place publicly in the usual way in the Senate Hall or in the Professor Andries Querido Room. The candidates will defend their dissertation either in a small group or online.

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