During chemotherapy treatment, you may experience different side effects. These can vary depending on the type of cancer you have and the stage of your cancer. However, a common side effect that you may have heard of is chemo brain.
Chemo brain or chemo fog is a term used to describe thinking and memory problems which may occur during or after chemotherapy treatment.
The medical term for chemo brain is cancer-related-cognitive-impairment (CRCI).
The exact cause of chemo brain is not fully known. However, research suggests that it is not just the direct effect of the chemotherapy medication itself causing chemo brain.
It is thought that other factors such as anxiety, depression and sleep problems may also contribute to chemo brain.
Other possible causes are:
Chemo brain may impact you in different ways, and can affect:
Cancer patients who experience chemo brain may have trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions affecting everyday life, such as:
A number of medications and herbs have been studied as possible treatments for chemo brain but so far there has been no proven benefit from any medication.
Other strategies that have been shown to have some benefit in helping to improve symptoms include:
While chemo brain is a common problem, remember that it is likely to improve with time.
Stress and tiredness can contribute to memory and concentration problems, so try to get plenty of rest and do regular relaxation techniques and activities (including exercise).
Be open with your friends and loved ones about your chemo brain symptoms and let them know how they can support you during this time.
Specialised health services known as allied health can help you and your family cope with treatment side effects. You can find out about the different allied health specialists, such as psychologists and occupational therapists, and how they can help here.
We are here to help you navigate this difficult time and to focus on the individual needs of our patients and their families offering both in-person and telemedicine consultations.
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