Brain Fog In Cancer Survivors

Brain fog is a common term used by many patients with cancer and survivors of cancer to describe the cognitive challenges they face during and after treatment. Studies suggest that up to 75 percent of cancer patients experience some form of cognitive dysfunction during treatment, and around 35 percent continue to have issues long after treatment ends.

“This condition goes by many different names,” Darcy Hughes, a speech-language pathologist with Franciscan Health, said. “It’s often known as chemo brain, chemo fog or chemo-related cognitive impairment.”

Brain fog can make simple tasks feel overwhelming and significantly impact your daily life. If mild, some patients can resolve brain fog symptoms themselves. Many others suffer long-term symptoms.

Speech and occupational therapists can help prevent, assess, diagnose and treat symptoms. They can assist with speech, language, social interaction, communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults. These specialists offer a lifeline to help you understand brain fog and how to manage your symptoms.

What Is Brain Fog?

Chemo-related brain fog, often referred to as chemo brain, is a state of mental confusion and cognitive dysfunction that affects many patients receiving cancer treatment and survivors of cancer. Patients experience the condition as forgetfulness, concentration issues and overall mental cloudiness.

How To Tell Chemo Brain From Other Conditions

In older cancer patients, it can be a challenge to know if cognitive issues are due to cancer treatment or other conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. One way to tell is to measure changes in baseline cognitive abilities. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and other diagnostic tools can help screen for cognitive impairment. A healthcare provider can differentiate between treatment-related cognitive impairment and other potential causes.

What Causes Brain Fog Symptoms In Cancer Survivors?

The exact cause of brain fog related to cancer treatment is not entirely understood. Researchers believe many different factors contribute to brain fog symptoms in cancer survivors.

Cancer treatments

Chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy can all contribute to cognitive dysfunction.

Medications

Some cancer medications have neurotoxic effects that can impair cognitive function.

Surgery and the physical impact of cancer

The physical toll of cancer and its treatments can affect cognitive health.

Psychological factors

Stress, anxiety and depression can exacerbate cognitive issues. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Brain Fog?

Each person can experience brain fog symptoms differently, but they often include:

Memory problems

Short-term memory issues make it difficult to remember recent events or information.

Concentration issues

Some patients struggle to focus or manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Word-finding difficulties

Many people experience the “tip of the tongue” phenomenon, where they cannot find the right word.

Mental fatigue

Some people feel a general sense of mental tiredness and exhaustion.

Difficulty with problem-solving and executive function

Many patients struggle to plan, organize and problem-solve.

“For some, symptoms of brain fog may resolve fairly quickly with the help of an occupational or speech therapist, but they can also last a lot longer, even years,” Hughes said. “Some may experience difficulty with their memory, even with word finding, even if they’re in remission.”

Brain fog symptoms can happen early in the cancer journey or later during treatment and recovery.

“Just because someone starts chemotherapy doesn’t mean they’re going to notice cognitive or language changes,” said Bridget Kress, an occupational therapist at Franciscan Health. “Discussing any cognitive change with your provider is super important, especially because these symptoms might develop over time with the progression of treatment.”

How Long Does Brain Fog Last?

Brain fog lasts a different amount of time for each person. Some may experience symptoms for a few months. Others may deal with symptoms for years.

“Symptoms may resolve fairly quickly if a patient uses therapy to help address their symptoms,” Hughes mentioned. “But in some cases, brain fog can last longer, maybe years.”

The number of therapy sessions required to see improvement can also vary. In a hospital setting, speech and occupational therapists might see patients two to four times a week. In an outpatient setting, therapy might happen less frequently and continue longer. Recovery can also be gradual. Some may notice improvements within a few weeks, but it can take potentially longer for others.

How Can You Treat Brain Fog?

While physicians do not have a single treatment for brain fog, several strategies can help manage the symptoms. Occupational therapyand speech therapy play a crucial role.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help patients develop strategies to cope with cognitive changes. It aims to improve mental health and manage the psychological impact of brain fog. For more information on treatments and therapies, read our blog on therapies to help chemo brain.

Memory And Communication Strategies

Simple strategies can help manage the cognitive challenges of chemo brain and improve daily life. These techniques are easy to integrate into an everyday routine and can help improve a patient’s symptoms. Break tasks into smaller steps Practice relaxation techniques Set reminders and alarms Use calendars and planners For a more in-depth look at these strategies, visit our blog on memory tips for chemo brain.

Exercise And Brain Fog

Regular physical activity is good for your brain. Some smaller studies have shown aerobic exercise can improve feelings of brain fog in some cancer patients. Exercise can also help you deal with stress and make you feel more alert and less tired.

Brain Fog And Its Emotional Toll

Brain fog can take an emotional toll on patients receiving cancer treatment, even after treatment; it can also affect their relationships. Mental “fogginess” can lead to frustration, anxiety and depression. It is crucial for patients to communicate openly with their loved ones and seek support when needed. Kress encouraged patients to involve loved ones in the therapeutic process and celebrate small victories together.

Talking With Your Medical Team

Many survivors of cancer report that brain fog improves over time, especially with appropriate treatment and support. Patients should stay hopeful and proactive. Hughes offered this advice: “Speak with your medical team and advocate for what you need.”

When talking with your medical team about your brain fog symptoms, the American Cancer Society recommends discussing:

• What brain fog symptoms you are feeling
• How these are impacting your life
• What times of day you notice these changes the most
• What makes the changes feel better or worse
• Whether you have other concerns, such as tiredness, trouble sleeping, pain or stress

Keeping a diary or logbook of your brain fog symptoms can help you keep track of when you have changes in thinking and what seems to affect them.

Brain fog is a challenging aspect of the cancer journey, but patients can implement effective strategies to improve their quality of life.

Support Is Available

Franciscan Health offers the Moving Beyond program designed to provide comprehensive support and resources for survivors of cancer. This program helps them navigate the complexities of post-treatment life and cognitive challenges like chemo brain. Moving Beyond works to improve their overall well-being and quality of life through personalized care plans, educational resources and support groups.