<< Back

Beyond ‘Chemobrain’: New Hartford HealthCare Study Looks at Cancer and the Mind

October 15, 2018

By David Finitsis
Clinical Psychologist and Senior Scientist,
Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute

Does this sound familiar?

You walk into a room only to forget exactly what it was you came into that room to do.  Or your friend introduces you to someone and no sooner have you shaken hands when you notice you haven’t a clue what name they gave. While reading a book, magazine or internet story your eyes get to the end of a paragraph when you realize you can’t recall what it is you just read.

Everyone has felt surprised to have experiences like these on occasion. When events like this occur more often than we would like, initial surprise gives way to concern. And for a cancer survivor, the thought arises: Could this be related in any way to my cancer history?

Attention, memory, problem solving, decision making, even speaking and understanding words: all of these skills are part of a group of mental processes called cognition. From the Latin “cognoscere,” meaning to know or to recognize, cognitive processes provide us with the mental tools to accomplish the tasks that make up everyday life. From birth to adulthood, our brains develop greater cognitive abilities. Though often stable in adults, many factors can impact cognition across the life span, including cancer.

Compared to other areas of cancer research, the study of cancer and cognition is relatively new. While the majority of long-term studies show an association between cancer and cognitive impairments, no clear explanation for this relationship currently exists.

Studies suggest that many more patients may be affected than was first thought. In a recent large scale survey of 2,537 female breast cancer survivors who were greater than one year post-treatment, 60 percent reported persistent cognitive problems in areas like attention, concentration, and memory. Strikingly, only 37 percent of those survivors had discussed their concerns with their doctor.  The National Institutes of Health has declared a need for more scientific study of cancer and cognition and made research in this area a priority.

At Hartford Healthcare, we have opened a new study looking at cancer and cognition. This study will focus on women with a history of breast cancer who are beginning a medication called an aromatase-inhibitor. Participants will receive cognitive testing and other measurements of functioning over a 4 month period. Much of the participation is by phone or email, but the study does require two visits to Hartford Hospital that are reimbursed for travel. For more information about eligibility, you can contact our research team at 860.972.3128.

At the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, we recognize that your concerns about cancer and the quality of your life, including cognitive functioning, don’t end just because you’ve finished treatment. Our supportive services are designed to help the whole you. Contact your oncology nurse navigator at 855.255.6181 or schedule a Survivorship visit by calling 860.972.4681. These caring professionals can help you identify the best ways to address the issues you currently face.

David Finitsis, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Scientist at the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute.