Cognitive deficit is a medical term that encompasses a decline in concentration, the lowering of attention span, and difficulty with memory. In the cancer community, it is commonly referred to as "chemobrain."
Causes of Chemobrain
Although researchers have discovered a link between chemotherapy treatment and cognitive deficit, they have yet to identify the cause. We currently cannot determine why one person may develop chemobrain, while another patient does not.Diagnosing Chemobrain
If you have been treated with chemotherapy in the past and are experiencing symptoms like low attention span, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating, tell your doctor. The doctor will then rule out any underlying cause such as stress, depression, medication side effects, and other possible causes.The American Cancer Society estimates that 25 percent of people suffering from chemobrain symptoms do so because of their previous chemotherapy treatment. The remainder of people can attribute their symptoms to depression, fatigue, stress, medication side effects, and other causes.
Treating Chemobrain
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for chemobrain. Some patients, however, are being prescribed medication for attention deficit disorder (ADD) and finding success.In many cases, there only thing a patient can do is manage the symptoms of chemobrain. People suffering from chemobrain can manage it by:
- using a daily organizer to make "to do" lists, record appointments and other important information
- use a hand held voice recorder to record important conversations
- eat nutritionally balanced meals
- develop healthy patterns that include getting adequate, restful sleep
- lighten work load or take small, frequent breaks
Source:
Tannock, Ian, Tim A. Ahles, Patricia A. Ganz, Frits S. van Dam. "Cognitive Impairment Associated With Chemotherapy for Cancer: Report of a Workshop." Journal of Clinical Oncology 22, No 11(2004): 2233-2239.
