A chemobrain is not a figment of your imagination

It is the after-effects of chemotherapy that quite a few breast cancer patients face. Your memory seems to sputter, you are less focused and can't think of words. Your brain seems to process stimuli more slowly. These symptoms have always existed after chemo, only the umbrella term "chemobrain" used for it is more recent. A chemobrain can significantly affect daily life and quality of life. An exact cause is not known, but it is suspected to have to do with effects of chemotherapy on brain cells on the one hand and with fatigue, anxiety and hormonal changes caused by cancer treatment on the other.

Research shows that about one in three breast cancer patients experience severe cognitive symptoms after chemotherapy. How long it lasts depends on how it is evaluated. According to some studies, a chemobrain can persist for up to four years after treatment, but in most people, the discomfort gradually subsides and the brain recovers.

What to do.

To reduce the burden of a chemo brain, it is important to bring structure to your day. Use a calendar, make to-do lists or set reminders in your smartphone. Let go of multitasking and do one thing at a time. A healthy lifestyle is highly recommended. Physical activity, such as walking, cycling or yoga, helps against chemobrain. Eat healthy and get enough sleep. Finally, accept that you can do less than before and give yourself time to recover.