Cancer and its treatments cause fatigue.
You probably already know that. Cancer itself can zap your
energy. Some cancer treatments also make the body use more
energy. Your body needs to get rid of the toxins that cancer
cells set free when they are killed. If you have no appetite,
you probably aren't eating as well as you should. Lack of
sleep, pain, nausea, lack of physical activity and low white
blood cell count (as well as a common culprit - anemia) can
lead to or worsen fatigue.
Additionally, several recent (but very small, non-randomized,
non-controlled) studies show that mild memory loss appears
to be a potential side effect of chemotherapy.
At Neurotherapy Centers we treat chemobrain (defined as the
memory loss, fatigue, depression and anxiety that may follow
chemotherapy) with EEG neurotherapy and other forms of biofeedback.
Please see the description of our treatment
modalities for more information.
Chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction (i.e., disturbing
and disruptive changes in attention/concentration, memory,
thinking or other cognitive functions) in women with breast
cancer is becoming an increasingly important clinical issue.
Several recently published studies describe moderate to severe
cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer survivors who were
treated with adjuvant chemotherapy one to five years before
undergoing extensive neuropsychological testing. These studies
suggest that approximately 15% to 25% of chemotherapy-treated
breast cancer patients will demonstrate evidence of cognitive
dysfunction some years after chemotherapy compared with about
10% of survivors who did not receive chemotherapy. Those who
experience these symptoms call the problem “chemobrain.” This
cognitive dysfunction is often associated with other distressing
symptoms following successful treatment for cancer, including
pain, fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances.
There is growing agreement that chemotherapy-induced
cognitive dysfunction may contribute to substantially reduced
quality of life in breast cancer survivors. EEG neurofeedback
specifically targets central nervous system functioning. This non-invasive, gentle
treatment offers a new approach to improving quality of life
and enhancing the recovery of those struggling with chemo-brain.
[Related Research: Barton D, Loprinzi
C: Novel approaches to preventing chemotherapy-induced cognitive
dysfunction in breast cancer: the art of the possible. Clinical
Breast Cancer 2002;3 Suppl 3:S121-127. Management of Cancer
Symptoms: Pain, Depression, and Fatigue. Evidence Report/Technology
Assessment: Number 61, July 2002. Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/csympsum.htm.
Mueller HH, Donaldson CSS, Nelson DV, Layman M. Treatment
of fibromyalgia incorporating EEG-Driven Stimulation: A clinical
outcomes study. J Clin Psychol 2001;57:933-952. O’Shaughnessy
JA: Effects of epoetin alfa on cognitive function, mood, asthenia,
and quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing
adjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical Breast Cancer 2002;3 Suppl
3:S116-120. Valentine AD, Meyers CA: Cognitive and mood disturbance
as causes and symptoms of fatigue in cancer patients. Cancer
2001;92:1694-1698.
