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Lifestyle changes to help chemo brain?

Page last modified on: December 3, 2008
Question from DIDI: If things like crossword puzzles and computer games don't necessarily help a person recover from chemo brain, what can a person really do aside from look for drug treatment? Are there lifestyle changes I can make? Anything specific?
Answer —Christina Meyers, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.: There are lots of lifestyle things that can help diminish the effects on everyday function, but I wouldn't rule out crosswords if you enjoy them. They don't help chemo brain, but people should do things they enjoy. You can have a memory station in your house where your keys, etc., are in one place so you never have to worry where they are. Use a day planner. Break things into smaller chunks so you plan ahead and do it a bit at a time. You end up in the same place, you just go about it a little differently. For instance, students going back to school who may have been able to cram for an exam the night before may not be able to do that. I would say that for the huge majority of people, the symptoms of chemo brain will not prevent them from doing anything they want, but they may have to do it in a slightly different way.

On Wednesday, October 15, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Chemo Brain. Christina Meyers, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. and George Sledge, M.D. answered your questions about how long chemo brain can last, what treatments can be helpful, and current research on cognitive effects of 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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Meet the Experts

Christina Meyers, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. is a board certified neuropsychologist. She created the Neuropsychology Service in the newly formed Department of Neuro-Oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 1984.

George Sledge, M.D.George Sledge, M.D. is the Ballvé-Lantero Professor of Oncology at Indiana University at Indianapolis, where he co-directs Indiana University Simon Cancer Center's Breast Cancer Program.

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