Ask the Experts: How to get clarity through the chemo brain cloud
Cancer patients and their caregivers have long been aware of the foggy-headed feeling that accompanies cancer treatments, but this so-called “chemo brain” effect has not been studied until fairly recently. At tonight's Ask the Experts session, City of Hope oncology nurse Denice Economou, R.N., M.N., C.N.S., A.O.C.N., will shed light on what is known about chemo brain and what can be done about it.
Chemo brain can cause myriad cognitive deficits, but there are ways to cope with, and compensate for, them. (Credit: Jupiterimages)
Here’s a quick primer for those not familiar with this condition:
What is chemo brain?
Known clinically as cancer-related cognitive dysfunction, chemo brain refers to mental changes that cancer patients notice during or after treatment. Economou said this can include deficits in memory, attention span and reaction speed or trouble with higher-level functions such as planning, problem-solving and multitasking. Other symptoms include recurring difficulties in remembering names, recalling words and completing sentences.
How often does chemo brain occur?
The studies are not clear about the incidence of chemo brain among cancer patients. “Statistics have shown anywhere from 17% to 75% of patients experience cognitive impairment following chemotherapy,” Economou said. Sometimes it's difficult to pinpoint whether such impairment is due to cancer, its treatment, other confounding conditions or simply normal aging, she added.
How long does chemo brain lasts?
"One of the problems of chemo brain is that you don't know if it will be a brief occurrence or a long-term change," Economou said, again noting that long-term effects may be due to other conditions or normal aging. On a positive note, the American Cancer Society does report that "chemo brain is usually mild and goes away over time" and that most cases do not warrant a change in treatment plan.
What are some current treatments for chemo brain?
“Studies have not shown a significant improvement in people who do brain-building exercises,” Economou said. But she noted that memory and attention-adaptation training may help maintain and improve quality of life for patients with chemo brain. Stimulant medications have also been used in some patients after chemotherapy on the theory that they help keep patients alert and enable the neurons to fire better, Economou said.
What can patients and their caregivers do about chemo brain?
“Helping patients maintain their function is important, and this can include rehabilitating their cognitive skills or teaching them strategies to cope with and compensate for their deficits,” Economou said.
These strategies include following familiar routines, using a planner to keep track of appointments, allowing extra time to complete tasks and informing loved ones and caregivers of the condition so they can provide support. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and adequate sleep may help too.
For more information about chemo brain — and pain and fatigue — during cancer treatment, participate in tonight’s Ask the Experts in-person or tune in to the live streaming session from 6 to 8 p.m. Pacific Time.
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While taking Chemo treatments, I tried to keep as much clarity as possible by continuing to do puzzles. Keeping active and making plenty of notes, as I did forget some things in the beginning. Some have said the effects don't go away and some say it does get better with time. I just take one day at a time and see what my own reaction is in the ongoing process of being CANCER FREE now (1 yr Dec. 5th 2012)
Congratulations on being cancer free for more than a year; as Economou and others have noted, the intensity & duration of chemobrain varies from patient to patient (with the good news from American Cancer Society that most cases are mild & temporary) — but do let your loved ones & health care team know of any symptoms you're facing so they can best help you through them!
Janie, congrats on being cancer free! Sounds like you're doing the right things to stimulate your mind and help with your recovery. Keep on at it.
I also felt that I suffered from Chemo brain after my treatments for breast cancer. I am a freelance writer and could not concentrate or think of the right words to express myself. I've also felt that the stress of going through a cancer diagnosis and chemo certainly contributes to a high stress situation that makes concentration difficult. I couldn't read, which I love to do, I couldn't concentrate on television programs or movies for more than a year after my treatment. It's been almost 13 years since my diagnisis and I am back to normal and keeping very busy as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, helping other cancer patients through their journey.
Thanks for sharing, Anita and glad to hear that chemobrain was only temporary for you and that you're guiding other patients through their journey!
Anita, great to hear you found ways to cope, and that you're giving your time to help us fight cancer. Chemo brain is indeed real and frustrating. Congrats on getting back to normal!
It's been about a year and a half since my last chemo treatment and I'm still suffering from 'chemo brain'. I make the best of it and my husband and I even chuckle about some of my 'chemo brain' moments. I've learned to be patient and joke about it. Just recently I've noticed that my memory has improved, slowly, but it has improved. If 'chemo brain' is what I have to deal with so I can wake up and smile everyday, then so be it! At least I have an excuse for my forgetfulness… LOL! Just enjoying life!
Great to hear about your experience, especially that you and your husband can poke fun at it. Fingers crossed that your improvement continues!
Jackie, we're glad to hear things getting better for you. Exercise and keep your brain stimulated to help with the recovery. Good luck!
I'm 6 months past a long Cisplatin and Etoposide regime, and was starting to wonder if early dementia was creeping in! So glad for all the info I can get on this topic, and for the people to who the research. I've been doing Luminosity and see an improvement, but I can still leave a room and forget where I was headed. Jackie B. is so right when she say's it's a small price to pay to wake up and smile every day – we can never get that day back and have learned to make the most of it – good or bad! I like to say I got more out of Cancer than it got from me.. Keep the articles and research coming please!
Thanks for the comment and support, and hope you get lots of support from your health care team & loved ones to help you through this!
Barb – best of luck on your recovery. You're absolutely right about getting more out of cancer than the cancer got of you! Same with me! I learned from my experience! a positive attitude is the key to cancer treatment! Even after I had a reoccurrence 4 months after my first treatment, we just forged ahead, didn't ponder on the past or the whys and continued to keep a positive attitude and laugh!
Congrats on tackling your disease. We will definitely keep the research and articles coming! Thanks so much for your support.