Cancer Itself May Contribute to Brain Fog. Chemo Makes It Worse, Says a Stanford Study

And now we have more evidence that chemo brain is real.

In the latest study published this week in Archives of Neurology, researchers at Stanford University found that women with breast cancer (regardless of whether they had surgery and chemotherapy, or just surgery alone), experienced reduced activity in parts of the brain responsible for working memory, planning and attention.

My Friend, Joyce Parker, Passed Away

My husband Peter, Joyce & me at our son's wedding last year

Last Friday, my dear friend, Joyce Parker, passed away after a long battle with ovarian cancer. We met each other six years ago at a weekend retreat for women survivors and hit it off instantly.

Another Resource: An E-Book on Chemotherapy

My friend and colleague, David Drum, sent me this note about his book and I am happy to post it here. -- ID

How to Advocate for Your Chemo Brain Care

By Heather Flanagan, ARNP-C

Guest Blogger

Heather Flanagan is a board certified nurse practitioner in a private practice in Tampa, Florida. She completed her master's in nursing at the University of Florida in 2007

Learning Ukulele Has Helped My Memory

By Lori Nakamura
Aiea, Hawaii

I was 39 years old when I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I went through 5 cycles of chemo, and still today endure the lingering effects of chemo brain.

Fortunately, I have a friend who told me about the Hands On Healing program. She explained that Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios offers free lessons to cancer survivors. Adding to the joy of learning to play the ukulele, my two daughters were able to sign up for lessons as well. Next month makes two years since we've taken up ukulele, and it will be 5 years since my surgery and treatments.

Chemo Brain May Last 5 Years or Longer After Stem Cell Transplant

Hi Everyone,

There's new research out, this time from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.  Karen Syrjala, PhD, and her team of scientists have found that patients who have undergone chemotherapy prior to receiving stem cell or bone marrow transplants to treat blood cancers, may suffer from some symptoms of chemo brain that are far more severe and long lasting than has generally been reported.

Ten Years After Treatment & Still Struggling With Performance Anxiety & Depression

By Carol

Boston, MA

Guest Blogger

Ms. Davidson, Dr. Silverman,

Thank you so much for the book and the ongoing research.  My experience is similar to many patients you profile.  I'd like to offer some additional concrete examples that I've observed.

Making the Cognitive Leap: Exercise is Good for 'Chemo Brain'

By Arash Asher, MD

Director, Cancer Survivorship and Rehabilitation

Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Fortunately, the scientific community has come a long way over the last several years in better understanding chemo brain, its causes, and how it can really impact a cancer survivor's life.  Unfortunately, we have much more work to do in learning about effective treatments for this problem.  

New Book From Breast Cancer Sisterhood

I'd like to recommend a sweet new book, "Breast Cancer Sisterhood: A Guide to Practical Information and Answers to Your Most Intimate Questions" by Brenda Ray Coffee with co-author Barbra Swanson.