Chemo Brain

Cancer related cognitive impairment or "chemo brain" can be defined as feeling mentally foggy or having trouble with thinking. “As many as 75% of cancer patients have experienced [cancer related cognitive impairment] during their treatment, […] and about a third of them may continue to struggle [with it] after treatment" (Cedar Sinai, 2019; Das et al., 2020). For most patients, the effects of cancer related cognitive impairment can resolve within 6-9 months after finishing treatment while for others the symptoms can last for years (Cedar Sinai, 2019; Das et al., 2020).

The video below provides further education with strategies with how to live with chemo brain.

A Checklist for How to Be Organized

1. Celebrate small wins

if you accomplish things on your to-do list, treat yourself to a snack or a 10 min break

2. Use one calendar

either use a paper or electronic calendar to keep track of your activities

3. Schedule small tasks

make time to do the preparatory things along with the big ones

4. Get organized at home

Declutter--decide what is necessary to be out, what can be stored, and what should be thrown away

5. Put high value on your time

don't forget to also make time for yourself by prioritize the most important tasks and dropping the unimportant ones

Train Your Brain

Part of staying mentally sharp is by taking the time to challenge your brain and learn new things. Six brain exercises to try at home include:

Doing a crossword puzzle
Playing an online brain game i.e. Lumosity, Cognifit, Sharpbrains, BrainHQ, NYT Connections
Starting a jigsaw puzzle
Building a model or start a knitting project
Joining a card game or trying mahjong
Learning some new dance moves

References

Breastcancer.org. (2013, October 14). Chemo brain: Study confirms existence, details its impact. Breastcancer.org Research News. Retrieved from https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20131014-3

Cedars-Sinai Blog. (n.d.). Chemo brain. Retrieved from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/chemo-brain.html#:~:text=%22As%20many%20as%2075%25%20of,months%20after%20they%20finish%20treatment.

Cole, M. B., & Tufano, R. (2020). In Applied Theories in Occupational Therapy. Slack. –make correct reference later

Das, A., Ranadive, N., Kinra, M., Nampoothiri, M., Arora, D., & Mudgal, J. (2020). An Overview on Chemotherapy-induced Cognitive Impairment and Potential Role of Antidepressants. Current neuropharmacology, 18(9), 838–851. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159X18666200221113842

Gibson, E. M., & Monje, M. (2021). Microglia in Cancer Therapy-Related Cognitive Impairment. Trends in neurosciences, 44(6), 441–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2021.02.003

Gregory, N. (2023, May 23). 6 Brain Exercises For Seniors To Try. Forbes Health. https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/brain-exercises/

Ikonomidou C. (2018). Chemotherapy and the pediatric brain. Molecular and cellular pediatrics, 5(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40348-018-0087-0

International Cancer Advocacy Network. (n.d.). The Co-Op Approach. Retrieved from https://icancoop.myshopify.com/pages/the-co-op-approach

Langel. S. (2023.). Functional cognition. UNMC eLearning. Retrieved from https://webmedia.unmc.edu/eLearning_open/RFA12/Functional_Cognition/

Loper, C. (2015, July 27). Molding Minds: Neuroplasticity. Retrieved July 13, 2023, from https://www.nwtutoring.com/2015/07/27/molding-minds-neuroplasticity/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, February 2). Chemo brain - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351065

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, February 2). Chemo brain - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chemo-brain/symptoms-causes/syc-20351060

National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Chemo brain. National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/chemo-brain

Orszaghova, Z., Mego, M., & Chovanec, M. (2021). Long-term cognitive dysfunction in cancer survivors. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 8. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2021.770413

Shirani, A., & Steward, T. (2018). Chemo brain. Cedars-Sinai Blog. Retrieved from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/chemo-brain.html#:~:text=%22As%20many%20as%2075%25%20of,months%20after%20they%20finish%20treatment.

Tahoe Forest Cancer Center. (2017). Neuroplasticity and well-being. Tahoe Cancer News, Winter Edition. Retrieved from https://tahoecancercenter.com/newsletter/2017-winter-edition/neuroplasticity-and-well-being

the Mind Tools Content Team. (n.d.). How to Be More Organized. MindTools. https://www.mindtools.com/auj8unv/how-to-be-more-organized