For years, cancer survivors have worried and even joked about the cloudy thinking they notice before, during, and after chemo. This mental fog is called “chemo brain.” In January, Dr. Peter Young, a local neuropsychologist, came to CSC to speak to our members and their caregivers about Chemo Brain.

What is Chemo Brain?

Research has shown that some cancer drugs can cause changes in the brain. These changes are in the parts of the brain that deal with things like memory, planning, and putting thoughts into action.

Here are a few examples of what chemo brain may be like:

• Trouble remembering things you usually have no trouble recalling;

• Trouble focusing on what you’re doing and taking longer to finish things;

• Trouble remembering details like names, dates, and events;

• Trouble remembering common words;

• Trouble doing more than one thing at a time, like answering the phone while cooking, without losing track of one of them.

For some people, these changes come on fast and only last a short time. Others may have mild, long-term changes. In most cases, the changes are subtle, and others around the person with cancer may not even notice any changes at all. Still, the people who have problems are aware of the differences in their thinking. Many people do not tell their health care team about the problem until it affects their everyday life.

Can Chemo Brain Be Prevented?

Doctors do not know exactly what causes chemo brain, so at this time there is no way to prevent it. It seems to happen more with high doses of chemo. But because chemo brain is usually mild and goes away over time, treatment plans should not be changed to try to prevent this side effect.

The Importance of Support

The first thing you can do to better manage chemo brain is to tell others. Tell your health care team about it. They may suggest you see a specialist who can work with you on ways to manage your memory of thinking problems. Tell your family and friends about it. Tell your loved ones what they can do to help. Their support and understanding can help you relax and make it easier for you to focus and pay attention.

And, of course, you can attend a support group with others going through a cancer experience of their own. It may help you feel better. At Cancer Support Community, we offer a variety of professionally-facilitated support groups for persons with cancer and their loved ones, and chemo brain is just one of many topics that are addressed in a safe and supportive setting. Some support groups meet monthly, are cancer-specific, and you can drop-in as you see fit. Others meet weekly and require a commitment on your part to attend regularly. If you are interested in one of our support groups, contact us at Cancer Support Community and speak with one of our licensed clinicians to help you evaluate which group might be the best fit for you and your needs.

Excerpted and modified from American Cancer Society pamphlet, “Getting Help for Chemo Brain,” February 2015.