Chemobrain: The Unspoken Reality of Life After Cancer
By Rudolph Rodriguez
Life with cancer can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, even after becoming cancer-free, this journey may still not be over. A recent internet survey has shown that up to 3 out of 4 cancer survivors experience a condition called “chemobrain” (Lange, 2019). Chemobrain is characterized by a worsening memory, loss of ability to focus, and difficulty with simple and complex tasks. These symptoms usually last around 2 years but can last for 10 years or longer. Many cancer survivors with chemobrain experience difficulties with completing routine tasks such as feeding pets, driving, and grocery shopping. Additionally, around 3 out of 4 cancer survivors reported that chemobrain made it difficult to return to work. The mysterious nature of chemobrain combined with its prevalence and longevity results in a tough situation for cancer survivors. While chemobrain is known to be caused by chemotherapy, the specific mechanism in which the brain is affected is not understood, making it challenging to treat. Although many people would consider chemobrain to be a part of cancer recovery, it might be more accurate to think of chemobrain as a separate condition. Chemobrain can persist long after a person is free of cancer, as cancer is not the root cause of the condition. Although chemobrain is currently untreatable, gaining an awareness of the condition can help those afflicted and their loved ones to better understand their circumstances.
People affected by chemobrain report a large variety of symptoms, many of which involve memory. This can influence everyday tasks such as driving, shopping, and socializing. In severe cases, people with chemobrain have endangered themselves while driving: "I’d just merge into traffic – driving without even thinking to look beside me" (Bolton, 2018, p.6). Others report forgetting to do previously simple but important tasks such as locking their car door, turning off the oven, and feeding their pets. One cancer survivor shares, "I had animals that I forgot to feed, not because I forgot to feed them, because I forgot I even had those animals" (Bolton, 2018, p.6). Socializing can become difficult as names and words become harder to remember. In social situations, a person affected by chemobrain may find it near impossible to remember a story that a person just told them or the name of the person that told it. Additionally, they may also find it hard to remember words needed to express themselves. This can make a cancer survivor feel the need to justify themself and their condition, which becomes embarrassing and tiresome. This depressing routine leads many to cease socialization altogether.
It is important to know that chemobrain is a common phenomenon for cancer survivors. While the condition is not well understood, this does not mean that the symptoms do not cause real and devastating problems for those that have it. Chemobrain is induced by chemotherapy, but it is useful to remember that chemobrain is its own separate condition. This condition can last long after cancer, meaning that even after the initial recovery period, chemobrain will often remain.
Living with a chronic condition is physically and emotionally taxing, especially when the condition is not well understood or treatable. When faced with a condition like this, many will misplace their frustration. Prolonged suffering can lead one to think that they may be at fault and that their illness is due to their own shortcomings. It is important to help these people remember that this is not the case. While the effects of chemotherapy are not permanent, living with chemobrain is still a challenging part of each cancer survivor's journey. Therefore, it is our responsibility to better our understanding in order to support these survivors and help alleviate their suffering.
About the Author
Rudolph Rodriguez is a sophomore at the University of Arizona studying Physics and Mathematics. His research advisor is
Dr. Ying-hui Chou.
References
Bolton, G., & Isaacs, A. (2018). Women’s experiences of cancer-related cognitive impairment, its impact on daily life and care received for it following treatment for breast cancer. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 23(10), 1261–1274. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2018.1500023
Lange, M., Licaj, I., Clarisse, B., Humbert, X., Grellard, J. M., Tron, L., & Joly, F. (2019). Cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and expectations for support: Results from a web–based survey. Cancer Medicine, 8(5), 2654–2663. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.2069
People affected by chemobrain report a large variety of symptoms, many of which involve memory. This can influence everyday tasks such as driving, shopping, and socializing. In severe cases, people with chemobrain have endangered themselves while driving: "I’d just merge into traffic – driving without even thinking to look beside me" (Bolton, 2018, p.6). Others report forgetting to do previously simple but important tasks such as locking their car door, turning off the oven, and feeding their pets. One cancer survivor shares, "I had animals that I forgot to feed, not because I forgot to feed them, because I forgot I even had those animals" (Bolton, 2018, p.6). Socializing can become difficult as names and words become harder to remember. In social situations, a person affected by chemobrain may find it near impossible to remember a story that a person just told them or the name of the person that told it. Additionally, they may also find it hard to remember words needed to express themselves. This can make a cancer survivor feel the need to justify themself and their condition, which becomes embarrassing and tiresome. This depressing routine leads many to cease socialization altogether.
It is important to know that chemobrain is a common phenomenon for cancer survivors. While the condition is not well understood, this does not mean that the symptoms do not cause real and devastating problems for those that have it. Chemobrain is induced by chemotherapy, but it is useful to remember that chemobrain is its own separate condition. This condition can last long after cancer, meaning that even after the initial recovery period, chemobrain will often remain.
Living with a chronic condition is physically and emotionally taxing, especially when the condition is not well understood or treatable. When faced with a condition like this, many will misplace their frustration. Prolonged suffering can lead one to think that they may be at fault and that their illness is due to their own shortcomings. It is important to help these people remember that this is not the case. While the effects of chemotherapy are not permanent, living with chemobrain is still a challenging part of each cancer survivor's journey. Therefore, it is our responsibility to better our understanding in order to support these survivors and help alleviate their suffering.
About the Author
Rudolph Rodriguez is a sophomore at the University of Arizona studying Physics and Mathematics. His research advisor is
Dr. Ying-hui Chou.
References
Bolton, G., & Isaacs, A. (2018). Women’s experiences of cancer-related cognitive impairment, its impact on daily life and care received for it following treatment for breast cancer. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 23(10), 1261–1274. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2018.1500023
Lange, M., Licaj, I., Clarisse, B., Humbert, X., Grellard, J. M., Tron, L., & Joly, F. (2019). Cognitive complaints in cancer survivors and expectations for support: Results from a web–based survey. Cancer Medicine, 8(5), 2654–2663. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.2069