Cancer is a terrible disease. Unfortunately, too many of us have seen families and friends pass away. We shall not discuss here the terrible and usual consequences cancer has on individuals. What I want to discuss here is something less well-known. The effects cancer and chemotherapy have on the brain. We usually see cancer as something that affects our bodies. However, there is more to it. The brain is not only impacted psychologically but also cognitively.
The term chemo brain is commonly associated with cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems which can occur as a result of chemo therapy or radiation therapy treatments. Chemo brain has also been referred to a chemo fog, cognitive changes or cognitive deterioration.
Although chemo brain is commonly used term, it is not fully understood nor completely accepted if the chemotherapy is really a cause of concentration and memory problems. It has also been shown that a number of cancer survivors with memory problems can still score well on cognitive tests.
But it is generally accepted that chemotherapy can create memory problems for patients and it can become a very frustrating and debilitating situation. However more study is required to better understand this problem. It is not altogether clear that a direct link is present at all.
The term chemo brain is commonly associated with cancer survivors to describe thinking and memory problems which can occur as a result of chemo therapy or radiation therapy treatments. Chemo brain has also been referred to a chemo fog, cognitive changes or cognitive deterioration.
Although chemo brain is commonly used term, it is not fully understood nor completely accepted if the chemotherapy is really a cause of concentration and memory problems. It has also been shown that a number of cancer survivors with memory problems can still score well on cognitive tests.
But it is generally accepted that chemotherapy can create memory problems for patients and it can become a very frustrating and debilitating situation. However more study is required to better understand this problem. It is not altogether clear that a direct link is present at all.