Reviews of Science for Science Librarians: Chemobrain

ABSTRACT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention each year about 650,000 Americans with cancer undergo potentially lifesaving treatments usually via some combination of chemotherapeutic agents, adjuvants, or hormones. Over one hundred thousand of these patients are likely subsequently to experience difficulties with concentration and memory. These deficits may last for several months or persist for years. This paper surveys key components of the chemobrain story: Demographics; deficits, drugs, coping strategies, and the possibilities for recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Chemotherapy side effects
• chemofog
• cognitive deficits
• memory impairment
• executive function

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).