Help for concentration problems?
Meet the Experts
Patricia A. Ganz, M.D. is a medical oncologist and a professor in the schools of medicine and public health at UCLA, and is director of the division of cancer prevention and control research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center there.
Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.
Question from Jennie: Twelve months after chemo finished, and I still can't concentrate for more than four hours at a time. I do puzzles, sudoku, and crosswords to aid functioning. What else can I do?
- Answers —Patricia Ganz, M.D.: It sounds like you're already doing a lot of exercise for your brain, which is helpful but you may need to look at your overall situation and make sure that you're not tired or having difficulty sleeping. If you need to take a nap or a break from work, that's very important. Even people who have not had cancer treatment may have difficulty concentrating for more than four hours at a time. So be kind to yourself and make sure that you're taking care of your whole body, not just your brain.
- Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Be careful about drinking too much coffee to help overcome fatigue during the day because in many individuals caffeine can stick around for a long time into the night, and interfere with your ability to get a good night's sleep.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Thinking and Memory Challenges. Patricia A. Ganz, M.D. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the memory and concentration challenges that can happen during and after breast cancer treatment.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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