Guest guest Posted January 12, 2007 Report Share Posted January 12, 2007 ''Chemo head'' Can Last A Decade But Treatment Benefits Outweigh Risks By Myers Lowe, cancerpage.com (January 10, 2002) - Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy often complain afterward of " chemo head " -- that is an inability to concentrate, reduced memory or problems thinking clearly. Past research has documented reduced mental function among patients receiving systemic chemotherapy treatments for as long as two years after treatment. New research concludes " chemo head " continued in up to 50% of survivors as long as 10 years following the end of systemic chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Tim A. Ahles and associates of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, compared the cognitive functioning of long- term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma who were treated with either standard chemotherapy or local therapy (radiation or surgery). One hundred and twenty eight cancer survivors participated in the study – 71 in the standard chemotherapy group and 57 in the local therapy group. Both groups were given a battery of mental tests measuring verbal ability, vocabulary, reading, word association, verbal and visual memory, attention span, motor functions, and other cognitive skills. The study found that " between 24% and 50% of the survivors treated with systemic chemotherapy scored in the impaired performance range compared to 5% to 23% of the patients treated with local therapy. " The research is published in the January 15 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study authors are quick to point out however that all the patients tested in the " normal range " for the general population. That means, survivors in the chemotherapy group, even though they performed at a lower level than their local therapy counterparts, were within the " normal range " of cognitive function for the general population. " Low performance " or " impaired performance " was defined in terms of the overall group of survivors in the study, leading the authors to say, " The effects of chemotherapy, although important to the individual, are relatively subtle. " Furthermore, the authors conclude, " The survival benefits of chemotherapy far outweigh the potential risks to cognitive functioning for most patients. " Pointing out some of the limitations of their study, the authors argue for more research. For instance, they did not fully account for the normal effects of aging and participants did not have their cognitive functions measured before they underwent treatment. Cancer patients are increasingly concerned about this issue. The study's authors hope that further attention to the issue will lead to treatment modifications that reduce the effects while maintaining efficacy. SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology,20,2,2002:pp 485-493 Blissed be, Annie BodyByBliss.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2007 Report Share Posted January 13, 2007 I have had my chemo brain for over 16 years. Before chemo I could rattle off phone numbers, dates, do a lot of math in my head and numerous other things that are totally gone now. There are times we are going somewhere and I will say to Chuck how come we are going a different way? He will say we have gone this way all the time or many times. I don't unless Chuck is unable and don't go far without him. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com REAL Chemo Head ''Chemo head'' Can Last A Decade But Treatment Benefits Outweigh Risks By Myers Lowe, cancerpage.com (January 10, 2002) - Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy often complain afterward of " chemo head " -- that is an inability to concentrate, reduced memory or problems thinking clearly. Past research has documented reduced mental function among patients receiving systemic chemotherapy treatments for as long as two years after treatment. New research concludes " chemo head " continued in up to 50% of survivors as long as 10 years following the end of systemic chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Tim A. Ahles and associates of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, compared the cognitive functioning of long- term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma who were treated with either standard chemotherapy or local therapy (radiation or surgery). One hundred and twenty eight cancer survivors participated in the study - 71 in the standard chemotherapy group and 57 in the local therapy group. Both groups were given a battery of mental tests measuring verbal ability, vocabulary, reading, word association, verbal and visual memory, attention span, motor functions, and other cognitive skills. The study found that " between 24% and 50% of the survivors treated with systemic chemotherapy scored in the impaired performance range compared to 5% to 23% of the patients treated with local therapy. " The research is published in the January 15 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study authors are quick to point out however that all the patients tested in the " normal range " for the general population. That means, survivors in the chemotherapy group, even though they performed at a lower level than their local therapy counterparts, were within the " normal range " of cognitive function for the general population. " Low performance " or " impaired performance " was defined in terms of the overall group of survivors in the study, leading the authors to say, " The effects of chemotherapy, although important to the individual, are relatively subtle. " Furthermore, the authors conclude, " The survival benefits of chemotherapy far outweigh the potential risks to cognitive functioning for most patients. " Pointing out some of the limitations of their study, the authors argue for more research. For instance, they did not fully account for the normal effects of aging and participants did not have their cognitive functions measured before they underwent treatment. Cancer patients are increasingly concerned about this issue. The study's authors hope that further attention to the issue will lead to treatment modifications that reduce the effects while maintaining efficacy. SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology,20,2,2002:pp 485-493 Blissed be, Annie BodyByBliss.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.16.9/623 - Release Date: 1/11/2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Hi there, I underwent cognitive studies; quite intense I must say......results were 'astounding " to me....not the person I used to be by all means.....anyway.....my point is......If I would have known and could have done this testing before chemo....I would have done it.....even if I had had to pay out of pocket......It WILL be interesting to SEE down the road what " results " will show......hmmmmmmmmmm yes........I'm 2 years out of treatment and still have the darn chemo brain.......and then some....not a fun thing to try and deal with at all. Thank God for GREAT support......then I think.....we'll I've got one thing going for me...... " But you look good!!!!!! " Blessings to all Darlene Anne Kaspar bodybybliss@...> wrote: ''Chemo head'' Can Last A Decade But Treatment Benefits Outweigh Risks By Myers Lowe, cancerpage.com (January 10, 2002) - Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy often complain afterward of " chemo head " -- that is an inability to concentrate, reduced memory or problems thinking clearly. Past research has documented reduced mental function among patients receiving systemic chemotherapy treatments for as long as two years after treatment. New research concludes " chemo head " continued in up to 50% of survivors as long as 10 years following the end of systemic chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Tim A. Ahles and associates of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, compared the cognitive functioning of long- term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma who were treated with either standard chemotherapy or local therapy (radiation or surgery). One hundred and twenty eight cancer survivors participated in the study – 71 in the standard chemotherapy group and 57 in the local therapy group. Both groups were given a battery of mental tests measuring verbal ability, vocabulary, reading, word association, verbal and visual memory, attention span, motor functions, and other cognitive skills. The study found that " between 24% and 50% of the survivors treated with systemic chemotherapy scored in the impaired performance range compared to 5% to 23% of the patients treated with local therapy. " The research is published in the January 15 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. The study authors are quick to point out however that all the patients tested in the " normal range " for the general population. That means, survivors in the chemotherapy group, even though they performed at a lower level than their local therapy counterparts, were within the " normal range " of cognitive function for the general population. " Low performance " or " impaired performance " was defined in terms of the overall group of survivors in the study, leading the authors to say, " The effects of chemotherapy, although important to the individual, are relatively subtle. " Furthermore, the authors conclude, " The survival benefits of chemotherapy far outweigh the potential risks to cognitive functioning for most patients. " Pointing out some of the limitations of their study, the authors argue for more research. For instance, they did not fully account for the normal effects of aging and participants did not have their cognitive functions measured before they underwent treatment. Cancer patients are increasingly concerned about this issue. The study's authors hope that further attention to the issue will lead to treatment modifications that reduce the effects while maintaining efficacy. SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology,20,2,2002:pp 485-493 Blissed be, Annie BodyByBliss.com --------------------------------- It's here! Your new message! Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 That's my real objection - LACK OF TOTAL DISCLOSURE AND ADULT CONSENT to treatment options. It simply is not right in my mind. I don't care how " deadly " the disease is supposed to be. Cancer has been around for 10,000s of years. Why is it so bad now? Something is strange here - really strange. & I am very tired of women paying the medical bills with their bodies, souls and minds. Why is it that more prostrate cancer research and advances have been made in 20 years than in 50 on breast cancer? Blissed be, Annie BodyByBliss.com > > ''Chemo head'' Can Last A Decade But Treatment Benefits Outweigh > Risks > > By Myers Lowe, cancerpage.com > > (January 10, 2002) - Cancer patients treated with chemotherapy often > complain afterward of " chemo head " -- that is an inability to > concentrate, reduced memory or problems thinking clearly. Past > research has documented reduced mental function among patients > receiving systemic chemotherapy treatments for as long as two years > after treatment. New research concludes " chemo head " continued in up > to 50% of survivors as long as 10 years following the end of systemic > chemotherapy treatment. > > Dr. Tim A. Ahles and associates of the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical > Center in Lebanon, NH, compared the cognitive functioning of long- > term survivors of breast cancer and lymphoma who were treated with > either standard chemotherapy or local therapy (radiation or surgery). > > One hundred and twenty eight cancer survivors participated in the > study – 71 in the standard chemotherapy group and 57 in the local > therapy group. Both groups were given a battery of mental tests > measuring verbal ability, vocabulary, reading, word association, > verbal and visual memory, attention span, motor functions, and other > cognitive skills. > > The study found that " between 24% and 50% of the survivors treated > with systemic chemotherapy scored in the impaired performance range > compared to 5% to 23% of the patients treated with local therapy. " > > The research is published in the January 15 edition of the Journal of > Clinical Oncology. > > The study authors are quick to point out however that all the > patients tested in the " normal range " for the general population. > That means, survivors in the chemotherapy group, even though they > performed at a lower level than their local therapy counterparts, > were within the " normal range " of cognitive function for the general > population. " Low performance " or " impaired performance " was defined > in terms of the overall group of survivors in the study, leading the > authors to say, " The effects of chemotherapy, although important to > the individual, are relatively subtle. " > > Furthermore, the authors conclude, " The survival benefits of > chemotherapy far outweigh the potential risks to cognitive > functioning for most patients. " > > Pointing out some of the limitations of their study, the authors > argue for more research. For instance, they did not fully account for > the normal effects of aging and participants did not have their > cognitive functions measured before they underwent treatment. > > Cancer patients are increasingly concerned about this issue. The > study's authors hope that further attention to the issue will lead to > treatment modifications that reduce the effects while maintaining > efficacy. > > SOURCE: > > Journal of Clinical Oncology,20,2,2002:pp 485-493 > > Blissed be, Annie > > BodyByBliss.com > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > It's here! Your new message! > Get new email alerts with the free Yahoo! Toolbar. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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