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Asians experienced chemo brain after treatment for breast cancer
Results from a small survey of a multi-ethnic group of Asian women treated for breast cancer showed that these patients experienced cognitive impairments such as memory loss and speech problems associated with chemotherapy.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore said these results come from the first-ever qualitative study exploring the condition known as “chemo brain” among Asian patients.
Forty-three women participated in English- or Chinese-speaking focus groups conducted on the National University campus; 36 women were Chinese. Most participants had been treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer and had finished therapy within the previous 12 months.
According to the researchers, 74 open codes were created and categorized into three themes: participants’ experience with cognitive changes; effect of cognitive changes; and coping strategies.
Few patients were familiar with either the term chemo brain or cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy; many said they had not been told about potential cognitive changes due to chemotherapy. Researchers said Chinese-speaking participants struggled to understand the concept of cognitive function and the term chemo brain.
Many patients said they experienced cognitive changes after chemotherapy, and functioning deteriorated after they finished treatment. A small group of participants reported no cognitive changes, but suggested that physical adverse effects such as vomiting and numbness may have overruled any cognitive adverse effects.
Participants generally reported receiving good psychosocial support from their families, but also said they felt “anxious and frightened” upon discovering they could not perform a given task as well as they had previously. Some participants reported being embarrassed about these changes and said they were less confident upon returning to work.
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