Brain Fog
Posted 5/15/2012
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"Brain fog" is a new expression for me, and I am quite taken by it. I like it much better than "chemobrain" or "distracted" or "forgetful." "Fog" sounds gentle and almost soothing (okay, I admit that I have always liked foggy days near the ocean), and it also sounds temporary. These are comments from BreastCancer.org about an article published last fall that compared cognitive function of women post-breast cancer treatment with similar women who had not had breast cancer. Here is the beginning and then a link to read more from MedPage:
Breast Cancer Itself May Cause 'Brain Fog'
By John Gever; 2011-11-14
What breastcancer.org says about this article ... Breast Cancer Itself May Cause 'Brain Fog':
Many women treated for breast cancer say they have problems remembering, thinking, and concentrating during and after treatment. A small research study offers new evidence that being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer affects brain function; brain function is even more affected if a woman gets chemotherapy.
The research is published in the November 2011 issue of Archives of Neurology.
The memory, thought, and concentration problems associated with chemotherapy are commonly called chemobrain or chemofog. Doctors call these issues cognitive impairment or cognitive problems.
Whether or not chemotherapy is part of the treatment plan, some women treated for breast cancer may have trouble with:
- learning new tasks
- remembering names
- paying attention and concentrating
- finding the right words
- multitasking
- remembering where things are (keys, glasses, etc.)
Read more »
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