Chemo Brain

Chemotherapy brain fog, or chemo brain, is feeling as if you can’t think as quickly and as clearly as you did before you had cancer or received cancer treatment. Healthcare providers may refer to this condition as chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment or cancer-treatment-related cognitive impairment. But healthcare providers have learned that people develop cognitive problems before, during or after receiving treatment.

Most of the time, chemo brain is a short-term issue, but some people may have the symptoms for months after they’ve finished treatment. Healthcare providers can’t cure chemotherapy brain fog, but they can recommend medications or therapy and activities that may help lift the fog of chemo brain.

How does chemo brain affect everyday life?

Chemotherapy brain fog affects cognition. Cognition is how we think, how we remember information and our ability to concentrate. Cognition issues related to cancer treatment may show up in small ways. Many times, people can manage everyday tasks, but feel those tasks require more concentration and take more time. Sometimes, chemo brain fog makes people feel self-conscious about their cognitive issues, so they become more isolated. Chemotherapy brain fog often affects people’s ability to function in the workplace.

Does chemo brain cause personality changes?

Some studies show people with chemo brain have depression. Sometimes, people get angry or frustrated because they can’t do things as well or as quickly as they once could.

How common is this condition?

Healthcare providers who study cancer treatment and cognition estimate that 25% to 30% of people who have chemo brain develop symptoms before they start cancer treatment. About 75% of people receiving cancer treatment tell their healthcare providers they having issues with memory, concentration and their ability to complete tasks.