‘Chemo brain’ symptoms explained at Mooresville cancer lecture

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – Cancer-related fatigue is the feeling of being tired physically, mentally and emotionally. It means having less energy to do the things cancer patients would normally do if they were not undergoing treatment.

"Chemotherapy patients may also experience cognitive problems while undergoing chemotherapy or even after chemotherapy has finished," said Nurse Practitioner Janice Leak, a nurse navigator with St. Francis Cancer Care Services. "This decline can be changes in your memory, attention or concentration. Patients can grow very frustrated with the symptoms of the so-called ‘chemo brain.’ "

Other factors that may contribute to chemo brain are aging, fatigue, depression, low blood counts, medications and stress. Managing fatigue can help with the symptoms.

Leak will deliver a special lecture 7 p.m., Monday, May 4, at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville in Swisher Conference Room-East addressing the problems of chemo brain and how to deal with the condition.

The program – which is free to the public but registration is required – is geared for patients and caregivers.

St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville is located 1201 Hadley Road.

To register, call 317-782-4422 by Friday, May 1, or go to StFrancisHospitals.org/cancer for more information.