Can Chemo Brain Be Prevented?

Occupational Therapists and Psychologists can use cancer rehabilitation strategies to improve cognition

Cognitive Training and Counseling Can Maximize Cognitive Efficiency and Reduce Symptoms of Chemo Brain

There is no known way to prevent chemo brain, but cancer rehabilitation goes a long way in treating it. Strategies used by an Occupational Therapist or Psychologist in cancer rehabilitation can be employed to improve cognition, cognitive efficiency, and quality of life for cancer survivors who have received chemotherapy. These cognitive issues should be assessed and addressed rather than ignored, as they may lead to feelings of lowered self esteem and depression.

Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy and Radiation Therapy All Linked to Cognitive Changes After Cancer Treatment

A decade of study on chemo brain has linked cognitive changes with chemotherapy used in the treatment of breast cancer.  But what is less recognized is that hormone therapies and radiation can also cause chemo brain. According to a Medcape Oncology interview with Jeffrey S. Wefel, PhD, both brain structure and brain function are changed after chemotherapy treatment  is finished and can even impact survivors many years afterwards. In some cases the cognitive deficits not only remain but worsen, sometimes causing premature aging.


It is not yet known what the risk factors for chemo brain are, but current studies are being conducted with breast cancer patients over age 60 to try and identify whether cancer and cancer therapy augment age-related cognitive decline and speed up the aging process. Since most published studies have been done with breast cancer patients it is also unknown whether gender affects the development of chemo brain or not, but a small number of studies of men with prostate or testicular cancer have shown cognitive decline as a result of hormone therapy as well.

• Studies using animal models and in vitro cell lines have clearly indicated that some chemotherapies have an effect on cognition-related cells
• The medical community is now changing radiation therapy to preserve function
• As well, biologically based interventions that may stop the cognitive dysfunction experienced by cancer survivors are now being studied

Healthcare Systems and the Global Economy Affected by the Magnitude of Chemo Brain

There is a lot of proof that the cognitive dysfunction related to cancer treatment has negative implications that start with limitations on survivors’ quality of life. As our population ages and the number of cancer survivors increase, the effects of chemo brain are also having a negative impact on global healthcare systems and the economy.

Read our other posts on Chemo Brain:

Challenges and Rewards of Exercising With Chemo Brain

Chemo Brain is Real

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Cancer Rehab Canada Celebrates First Birthday

Cancer Rehab Canada celebrates its first birthday in July 2014!

Helping Cancer Survivors to Feel Better, Stronger and Happier

On July 15, 2013 Cancer Rehab started blogging about ways that cancer survivors can feel better, stronger and happier. Over 45 blog posts and a year later, we have found participation in the online conversation about how to minimize survivors' disabilities to be an extremely rewarding experience.

Cancer Rehabilitation Benefits Optimal Recovery

We are still asking why cancer patients aren't routinely offered cancer rehabilitation services to help them return to normal life.

 These services are regularly provided for recovering cardiac patients and patients who had joint replacement surgery. Yet those people who have had cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgeries such as mastectomy, are often not receiving cancer rehabilitation service despite the growing scientific evidence that it is very beneficial in obtaining optimal recovery. Our 62 rehab clinics can offer assistance in minimizing the side effects of cancer and its treatment.

Cancer Survivors Often Suffer From Disabilities Associated With Cancer Treatments

Cancer survivors often suffer from the side effects of their diagnosis and related treatment. Their functional impairments may include persistent fatigue, radiation fibrosis, chemotherapy fog, lymphedema, frozen shoulder and pain. Many of these conditions can be improved with interventions from a rehabilitation professional with specialized training, such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or massage therapist.

According to the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, there is estimated to be 1 million cancer survivors in Canada today, with that number expected to increase to over 2 million by 2020. Physical disability is a leading cause of distress in this population. It is critical that this population be appropriately screened and treated for their impairments, so that we minimize their disabilities and maximize their quality of life.

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How to Get Cancer Rehabilitation

Please contact one of our 62 Cancer Rehab locations across Canada. Links will direct to a Cancer Rehab provider in your area.

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Chemo Brain is Real

There appears to be a tie between chemotherapy and the cognitive processes of the brain

Mental Fogginess After Chemotherapy Can Provoke Feelings of Insecurity

Chemo Brain is real.

One of my strongest memories of returning to work after receiving 6 months of chemotherapy is the feeling of fogginess. I was happy to be back in the saddle, surrounded by supportive co-workers, but I had this sense of being dazed and distracted for the first several months. I would sit in front of my computer screen and simply stare, wondering why it was taking me so long to respond to an email. Approving the bimonthly payroll took me three times as long as I knew it had previously, but the numbers just never added up as easily as they used to. I would call someone and then forget what I was calling them about, or I'd forget the name of someone I know well during the conversation. It left me feeling insecure, inadequate and unsure as to whether I should be there or not.

Chemo Brain Symptoms Include Poor Memory, Difficulty Focusing and Problems with Multi-tasking

I had challenges with things such as:

• Multi-tasking
• Word/name recall
• Numerical calculations
• Difficulty focusing
• Poor memory

Chemo Brain Is As Real As the Problems It Causes

Many cancer survivors struggle with mental fogginess or "chemo brain" that occurs during and after their cancer treatment. Although the exact cause of it is still not known, there does appear to be a link to the effect that chemotherapy has on cognitive processes of the brain. These symptoms can range from being very vague to being a major impairment, and they can last only a short time or years. An MRI of the "chemo brain" will show actual changes to the grey matter. Chemo brain is as real as the problems it causes, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

5 Suggestions to Help You Cope With Chemo Brain

As a result of the challenges brought on by chemo brain, it is not surprising that many people are unable to cope like they used to - and begin to feel anxious and depressed. In my experience, the changes were subtle and not that noticeable to an outsider, but very evident and upsetting to me. A real blow to one's self-esteem. Here are some of my strategies to try and overcome these challenges.

5 simple suggestions to help you cope with chemo fog:

1. Get adequate rest and plan to do challenging mental activities when you are well-rested.
2. Be present in the moment, focus on the task at hand and learn to ignore the background noise and confusion. Many cancer survivors benefit from regular meditation. I found that having a quiet work space was essential.
3. Exercise regularly to keep your mind clear and feeling more alert. Get outside when you can, as I found the fresh air really helps bring clarity.
4. Create "to do lists" to keep track of tasks at hand. I became reliant on my phone, adding notes constantly to help get me organized and on task.
5. Slow down your mind and your body. This is a difficult one to do when you are feeling anxious already. I found that deep breathing is really great - three deep breaths will bring everything into clear focus.

Treatment is Available For Ongoing Cognitive Problems Experienced After Receiving Chemotherapy

If your problems persist, you may require a cognitive abilities evaluation and have a rehab professional, such as a neuropsychologist or occupational therapist, work with you to provide cognitive enhancement training. Recent research shows that there is a great deal that can be done to improve an individual' memory and other brain functions. At Cancer Rehab Canada, we believe in your ability to retrain your brain and and encourage you to seek treatment for ongoing cognitive problems. Please contact us to find the clinic nearest you.

To find a Cancer Rehab Canada near you, visit the list of British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Minimizing the Effects of Breast Cancer Through Cancer Rehab

Getting Back to Living - Not Just Surviving - After Breast Cancer

Even after surviving breast cancer, many patients find that although the treatment has ended, the cancer experience has not. The impact of cancer treatment and surgeries on psychological, emotional and physical well-being affects individuals in many ways causing problems such as:

• Pain
• Fatigue
• Decreased strength and mobility in shoulders
• Muscle aches
• Tingling in hands and feet
• Lymphedema

Cancer Rehabilitation Helps Minimize the Side Effects

The risk of developing lymphedema, or swelling in the arm, can be minimized through early cancer rehab treatment. A specially trained Physiotherapist can help to minimize the risk of developing lymphedema through exercise and education. It is vitality important to manage signs and symptoms early. Manual lymph drainage, provided by a certified therapist, has also been shown to effectively treat lymphedema and should even be considered proactively to prevent it in the first place.

Patient receives acupuncture after undergoing cancer treatment

Other benefits of cancer rehabilitation include exercise prescriptions to reduce the pain and fatigue that may be a result of the radiation or surgery that breast cancer patients have received.   Massage therapy, acupuncture and TENS can be used successfully to manage pain and parathesia, in addition to reducing stress. By seeking rehabilitation early, the research has shown we can prevent complications from occurring down the road, such as shoulder tendonitis or frozen shoulder. 

Restoring breast cancer survivors' previous level of function is a primary goal of cancer rehabilitation, and each client will have a tailored treatment plan to meet their individual goals.

Breast Cancer Affects 1 in 9 Canadian Women

Breast cancer survivors can minimize the risk of developing lymphedema through cancer rehabilitation

According to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, breast cancer affects 1 in 9 Canadian women in their lifetime, and it is estimated that in 2013 23,800 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Non-modifiable risk factors are listed as gender and age, personal & family cancer history and genetics, early menstruation and late menopause, breast density and breast conditions. Lifestyle choices included in the list of modifiable risk factors are smoking, body weight, physical activity, alcohol use, exposure to hormones (the Pill, in vitro fertilization, and hormone replacement therapy), among others. 

If you are a breast cancer survivor or a friend or family member of a breast cancer survivor, please visit one of our British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia locations.

Cancer Rehabilitation Improves Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life

Cancer Rehabilitation Benefits Optimal Recovery

Why aren't cancer patients routinely offered cancer rehabilitation services to help them return to normal life? These services are regularly provided for recovering cardiac patients and patients who had joint replacement surgery. Yet those people who have had cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation or surgeries such as masectomy, are often not receiving cancer therapy or rehabilitation service despite the growing scientific evidence that it is very beneficial in obtaining optimal recovery.

Cancer Survivors Often Suffer From Disabilities Associated With Cancer Treatments

Cancer survivors benefit from client centered, active rehabilitation & empowerment

Cancer survivors often suffer from the side effects of their diagnosis and related treatment. Their functional impairments may include persistent fatigue, radiation fibrosis, chemotherapy fog, lymphedema, frozen shoulder and pain. Many of these conditions can be improved with interventions from a rehabilitation professional with specialized training, such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or massage therapist.

According to the Canadian Partners Against Cancer, there is estimated to be 1 million cancer survivors in Canada today, with that number expected to increase to over 2 million by 2020. Physical disability is a leading cause of distress in this population. It is critical that this population be appropriately screened and treated for their impairments, so that we minimize their disabilities and maximize their quality of life.

Cancer C.A.R.E. Provides Client Centered, Active Rehabilitation & Empowerment for Cancer Survivors

Judy Boivin, a registered physiotherapist and cancer survivor, will be blogging about ways that cancer survivors can feel better, stronger and happier. Judy has recently developed and implemented an evidence based cancer rehabilitation program at 24 LifeMark/Centric Health locations across Ontario. The program provides Client centered, Active, Rehabilitation and Empowerment for cancer survivors. This service is appropriate for anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis and is receiving or recovering from cancer treatment.