“Chemo Brain” and the Cognitive Impact of Cancer Survivorship

You worked with your cancer care team and followed your care plan to the letter. Now treatment is over, and something has changed. You’re more forgetful and have a hard time thinking on your feet.

If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing “chemo brain.”

“Advances in cancer treatment are helping more and more people live longer, fuller lives,” says Dr. Eric Turner, a board-certified, fellowship-trained medical oncologist at Beaufort Memorial Oncology Specialists. “However, these advances come with potential side effects. One of them is cognitive impairment. Thankfully, you can manage or reduce these effects.”

Here’s what chemo brain is and how you can manage the frustrating symptoms it causes.

Read More: Caring for Yourself After Cancer

What Is Chemo Brain?

Chemo brain is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Research published by the National Institutes of Health found that as many as 75% of individuals who go through cancer treatment experience this type of cognitive impairment during treatment. After finishing therapy, symptoms continue in 1/3 of cases. These symptoms can last for months or even years.

Despite its name, chemo brain isn’t always caused by chemotherapy. In fact, researchers are unsure why these changes in mental ability occur.

The American Cancer Society states that many cancer treatments increase the risk of chemo brain, such as:

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone Therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Surgery
• Targeted therapies

Other factors outside of cancer treatment also increase your risk or worsen your symptoms. Having mental health issues, such as stress or depression, having diabetes or other chronic health issues and being an older adult all seem linked to chemo-induced brain fog.

Read More: The Sleep-Cancer Connection

Recognizing the Signs: Is It Chemo Brain?

While you can feel the effects of chemo brain, it’s not always obvious to others.

“Your family or friends may not notice any difference,” Dr. Turner says. “This can make you feel isolated and alone. Recognizing and reporting symptoms to your healthcare provider is the first step toward managing the problem.”

With chemo brain, you may experience difficulty with the following:

• Completing tasks in a normal amount of time
• Doing two things at once, such as talking while driving
• Finding the right words to get your point across
• Focusing on the task you’re performing
• Making plans or decisions
• Remembering names, dates, events or other information you normally recall with ease

How Long Does Chemo Rage Last?

You may find relief from “chemo rage” soon after ending treatment, or your symptoms may last for months or longer. Chemo rage is the result of negative emotions experienced during your cancer journey.

It may be the result of cancer treatment, or it may be rooted in other emotions, including:

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Frustration
• Helplessness

Is Chemo Brain Similar to Dementia?

There are a few differences between chemo brain and dementia.

“Dementia and chemo brain have some overlapping symptoms,” Dr. Turner says, “but they’re very different conditions.”

Dementia:

• Develops slowly over time
• Progresses without any possibility of being reversed

Whereas chemo brain:

• Comes on quickly
• Can be managed and even reversed

Does Chemo Brain Ever Go Away?

The frustrating symptoms of chemo brain can resolve in a short time or continue for years, according to the National Cancer Institute. For most survivors, improved cognitive function comes within a year or two of finishing treatment. Others continue to experience mild issues for decades.

Read More: Cancer Support: How to Talk to and Support Loved Ones With Cancer

Other Post-Treatment Effects to Watch For

Chemo brain isn’t the only condition you may experience during or after cancer treatment. Radiation, chemotherapy and other treatments can lead to a range of other challenges. Depending on what cancer you have and the treatment you undergo, your survivorship journey may include one or more of the following:

• Fatigue
• Future cancers
• Heart disease
• Infertility
• Low thyroid and other hormonal changes
• Mental health issues
• Sleep disorders

Proper care can help protect your health and quality of life, no matter what complications come your way.

Read More: The Role of a Cancer Nurse Navigator

Finding Relief: What Is the Best Treatment for Chemo Brain?

Because every case of chemo brain is different, the best treatment for your symptoms may be unique to you. That said, certain steps can help you regain brain function after cancer therapies.

• Brain games — Do a puzzle, play a memory game and participate in other activities that challenge your brain.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy — Through this therapy, you learn to recognize, understand, cope with or overcome your limitations.
• Exercise — Try to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week.
• Sleep — Avoid caffeine before bedtime and keep screens out of your bedroom to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.

Dr. Turner also suggests coping strategies to work around the mental fog.

• Avoid multitasking — Focus on one task at a time and stick with it until finished.
• Set routines — Create a daily schedule and follow this routine every day.
• Use a planner — Write down appointments, phone numbers and other important information in a physical planner or on your smartphone.

Before trying any of these, open up to your healthcare provider.

“Anytime you experience potential complications of your cancer treatment, we want to hear about them,” Dr. Turner says. “That allows us to provide the cancer education and support you need. We can then brainstorm additional ways to manage your symptoms, such as medication or cancer rehabilitation, and maximize your quality of life.”

In Summary: “Chemo Brain” and What to Know

As frustrating as chemo brain is, you can manage and even reduce your symptoms over time.

1. Nearly 3 out of 4 people who go through cancer treatment experience chemo brain. It may be caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy and other treatments.
2. It causes brain fog that makes it hard to concentrate, remember things and perform other common mental tasks.
3. A healthy lifestyle, brain exercises and behavioral therapy can help reduce your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may also recommend medication or other treatment options to maximize your quality of life.

Find a cancer care specialist anytime online.