UNDERSTANDING CHEMOBRAIN

Forgetfulness & Inability to Concentrate: CHEMOBRAIN

Some cancer patients refer to the forgetfulness or inability to concentrate that chemotherapy can have on cognitive functioning as "chemobrain." How chemotherapy might cause cognitive deficits is not clear at this time.

Chemotherapy has been associated in some patients with cognitive deficits-problems with thinking, learning, and memory. Up to one-third of patients undergoing cancer treatment will experience cognitive impairment, though some studies report that at least half the participants have memory problems. Memory changes often continue for at least a year or two after your treatment and may last longer.

Cognitive deficits may include forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating.

Research has demonstrated that chemotherapy can have a negative impact on cognitive functioning.31 How chemotherapy might cause cognitive deficits is not clear at this time.

Your problems with memory and concentration may improve once you complete your chemotherapy, but there is also a possibility that these will be long-term problems.

Other factors that contribute to memory and concentration problems include:

• Aging

• Depression

• Menopause

• Low blood counts

• Medications

• Mental and emotional stress of coping with cancer

 

Chemobrain, the common term for cognitive changes that occur during and after cancer treatment. Women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer were the first to call attention to this problem. Since then, researchers have found that chemotherapy can affect your cognitive abilities in a number of ways, including:

Word finding - You might find yourself reaching for the right word in conversation.

Memory - You might experience short-term memory lapses, such as not remembering where you put your keys or what you were supposed to buy at the store.

Multitasking - Many jobs require you to manage multiple tasks during the day. Multitasking is important at work as well as at home - for example, talking with your kids and making dinner at the same time. Chemotherapy may affect how well you're able to perform multiple tasks at once.

Learning - It might take longer to learn new things. For example, you might find you need to read paragraphs over a few times before you really grasp the content.

Processing speed - It might take you longer to do tasks that were once quick and easy for you.

Courtesy of: Mayo Clinic

Treating Chemobrain

At this time, there are no proven treatments for cognitive deficits associated with chemotherapy. Scientists are studying possible treatments to help relieve this side effect.

Some researchers believe that helping patients change certain behavior patterns may provide some benefit.

Other Actions to Manage Chemobrain

Problems with memory and concentration can be very frustrating. While there may not be confirmed treatments at this time, there are things you can do to reduce the impact these problems have on your everyday life:

Minimize distractions when you need to complete tasks that require concentration.

Use a daily organizer to help you remember appointments.

Keep a journal of daily events and activities.

Carry a notebook, and use it to write down important information that you want to remember.

Get plenty of sleep.

Exercise daily.

Manage stress.