MDA: What to Know About 'Chemobrain'

Feeling like you're missing a few of your marbles since chemotherapy? It may be more than your imagination.

By: Dawn Dorsey | Source: The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center | June 14, 2006

"Chemobrain," or "chemofog," is reported by a majority of people who receive cancer treatment, but it often goes unrecognized and untreated. 

A legitimate, diagnosable condition that is usually covered by health insurance, "chemobrain" is known medically as "cognitive dysfunction." That means "difficulty processing information," and it may be caused by cancer, cancer treatment, or secondary medical conditions, such as anemia.

Christina Meyers, Ph.D., chief of neuropsychology at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, says you might be experiencing chemo brain if you have the following symptoms:

• Have difficulty multitasking
• Confuse dates and appointments
• Misplace objects
• Forget details of recent events or conversations
• Fumble for the right word or phrase
• Have difficulty focusing on one task
• Feel mentally "slower" than before

After her cancer treatment for stage-IV lymphoma, it didn't take Floridian Becky Morris, 53, long to realize her brain didn't function the same as it had previously.

"It took me a while to truly understand what 'chemobrain' meant," she said. "I remember during chemo, it felt as if brain cells were exploding, but I didn't consider that it really was happening."

Fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and depression can make chemobrain worse. But professional guidance and using certain tools, including the following, can help you cope:

• Rely on memory aids such as planners, reminders, and lists.
• Minimize distractions.
• Treat fatigue and sleep problems.
• Manage depression and anxiety.

Discuss the problem with your health-care practitioner.

_{^{Printed with permission from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center©. The contents of AARP.org and related Web sites are intended to provide useful health information to the general public. All materials, including texts, graphics, images, and audio, on AARP.org are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment for specific medical conditions. All visitors to AARP.org should seek expert medical care and consult their own physicians for any specific health issues.
AARP.org does not recommend or endorse specific tests, procedures, advice, or other information found on AARP.org. AARP, and its affiliates, and its content providers specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use or application of any of the material on this site.}}