Brain fog isn’t a medical term but it is used to describe the feeling that you don’t have mental clarity. Chemobrain can be a side effect of chemotherapy that results in challenges with remembering details, multi-tasking, or staying focused through longer tasks. Aside from the impact of medication, a diagnosis of cancer itself can be stressful resulting in distracted attention and mental load. Join us to talk together about how brain fog is impacting your life and learn strategies for beating it in your day to day. Let’s Talk About It!

1. Beating Brain
Fog

2. What is Brain Fog (or Chemobrain)
Problems with attention, memory and thinking:
• Difficulty multi-tasking
• Challenges with learning a new skill
• Stumbling with word recall while in conversation
• Difficulty staying organized and focused
• Feeling “spacey”, ”sluggish” or “less sharp”
• Finding completing a task takes longer
• Easily distracted – “losing track”

3. What Causes Brain Fog?
Many varying factors can contribute to brain fog:
• Cancer treatment – Some studies have shown that certain
chemotherapy drugs can temporarily slow brain cell growth in certain
areas of the brain that control learning and memory.
• General fatigue associated with cancer treatment
• Stress, anxiety and depression
• Hormone changes
• Other health conditions
• Not getting a balanced diet

4. Where Does
Brain Fog
Show Up for
YOU?

5. Introducing…
Executive Function
Executive Functioning Skills is a term
used in neuroscience to refer to brain-
based skills that are required for people
to execute (perform) tasks.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Working Memory Response inhibition
Planning & Prioritizing Emotional control
Organization Sustained attention
Time management Task initiation
Metacognition Goal-directed persistence
Flexibility

6. Identifying the weak spots (and Strengths!)
• Do you notice you struggle in some ways but not others?
• Do you notice your cognitive impairment feels harder after:
• Lack of sleep
• Before a stressful event
• Related to other known triggers
• What areas of your executive function do you consider strong?

7. What works for you?
• Making lists
• Saying (cueing) memory verbally
• Taking a photo (e.g. parking spot)
• Creating consistent routines (structure)
• Getting plenty of rest
• Staying hydrated
• Dividing large tasks into “bite-size” pieces
• Eating a balanced diet (protein, iron)
• Excercise

8. Helping others understand and support you.
• Teaching others about cancer treatment impact
• Explaining the loss with metaphor (tennis)
• Sharing what helps and being honest about compensatory
behaviors

9. More support
• Mental Health Professional: Brain fog can be related to anxiety
& depression
• Neuropsychological testing: Helps gain a clear picture of impact
and may provide accommodations for school/work.
• Nutritionist: Assess diet and ensure you are getting a balance of
important nutrients for brain health
• Fitness Group/Trainer: Structured classes and workouts to help
you move