Problems with memory and concentration, along with a general feeling of not functioning mentally as well as usual, are informally referred to by patients as chemobrain. Health care professionals call these symptoms cognitive deficits, from the word cognition which means thought, and the word deficit which means falling short of.

If you are experiencing these types of problems, you may be experiencing chemobrain, and are not alone.

• Memory loss
  
• Trouble paying attention
  
• Trouble finding the right word
  
• New learning
  
• Managing daily activities

People often notice these problems during chemotherapy treatment. Within one year of treatment, people often find these difficulties to greatly improve or no longer exist. However, for some people, chemobrain can continue for years following completion of treatment.
To know more: Click here...

Question:
Have you experienced this 'chemobrain' side effect? How long did it last?

Choices:
No, I did not experience this side effect.
Yes, it lasted only during the chemotherapy.
Yes, it lasted only during the first year after the chemotherapy.
Yes, it lasted only during the two years after the chemotherapy.
Yes, it continued for more than two years.

 

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Chemo makes brain 'work' harder

quote:

Chemotherapy produces long-term changes in the part of the brain dealing with memory, US research suggests.
Scans of women treated for breast cancer five to 10 years earlier suggested the brain was having to work harder during memory tests.

Researchers said the findings may explain why some cancer survivors suffer from problems with memory, confusion, and concentration.

Thanks Dr Joshi, I hadn't realised that this was a known side-effect. I just thought I was going nuts.

The topic 'Chemobrain' is very well covered at the People Living With Cancer (PWLC) website.

quote:

People receiving chemotherapy sometimes find it hard to think clearly, describing the feeling as their brain is in a "fog." The popular name for this is chemobrain, which may mean different things to different people, but for the most part, describes a change in one's ability to think clearly, concentrate, or focus on one task. Many cancer survivors report similar symptoms even many months or years after completing treatment. The causes of chemobrain are not clearly understood, and the severity and duration vary from person to person.

It covers:

• Symptoms of chemobrain
  
• Strategies to help with the effects of chemobrain

It is important to distinguish between cognitive problems resulting from chemobrain and the emotional reactions to stress and illness. Certain medical conditions can also impair one's ability to focus, think and speak clearly, and may be confused with chemobrain, such as:

• Anemia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Lack of fluids or minerals, or other metabolic problems

Additional resources:
CancerCare: Coping with Chemobrain: A four-part series addressing chemobrain

Cognitive Problems After Chemotherapy (PDF)
Doctor, Can We Talk About Chemobrain? (PDF)
Ways to Improve Concentration (PDF)
Keeping Your Memory Sharp (PDF)
Mayo Clinic: Chemobrain: When Cancer Treatment Disrupts Your Thinking and Memory Skills
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization: Cancer Fatigue and Chemobrain Chat Transcript
breastcancer.org: Thinking and Memory Challenges Chat Transcript (August 2006)

More Information:
Emotional and Physical Matters