Thinking and memory changes

Some people with breast cancer notice changes in how they think and remember information. This is called cancer-related cognitive impairment or may be referred to as “chemo brain”, “cancer fog” or “brain fog”.

What causes thinking and memory changes?

The exact cause is unknown, but studies suggest these changes may be caused by the cancer, emotions such as anxiety and depression, cancer treatment, anaesthetic given for surgery, and side effects such as fatigue, insomnia, pain and hormone changes.

For more on this see Changes in thinking and memory and listen to our podcast on Brain Fog and Cancer.

Coping with thinking and memory changes

For most people, thinking and memory problems get better within the first year of finishing treatment. Others may have long-term effects. If you have severe or lasting changes to your thinking and memory skills, you can see a clinical psychologist or neuropsychologist for cognitive rehabilitation. Speak to your health care team about the services available at your hospital or from a psychologist.

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Podcast: Brain Fog and Cancer

Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer