Before, during and/or after cancer treatment, many people experience difficulty with concentration, memory and thinking. This is known as ‘cognitive impairment’, ‘cancer fog’ or ‘chemo brain’.
Information for cancer survivors and their families
- Cancer Council fact sheet: Understanding changes in thinking and memory
- Cancer Council website: Changes in thinking and memory
- American Cancer Society (ACS) website: Chemo brain (US)
- A brain-training system devised by an international team of neuroscientists: BrainHQ
- MacMillan Cancer Centre website: Chemo brain (UK)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre website: Managing cognitive changes for cancer survivors (US)
- Springboard Beyond Cancer website: Chemo brain and memory problems –self management (US)
Guidance documents
- International Cognition and Cancer Task Force (ICCTF) report (2008):Cancer and cancer-therapy related cognitive dysfunction: An international perspective from the Venice cognitive workshop
Additional resources for health professionals
If you would like to advise of any relevant services or provide feedback please email, ACSC
Clinical services at Peter Mac Parkville
The following services are available to patients of Peter Mac, Parkville. If you are treated elsewhere, please speak with your oncology team, as you may have different clinical service options.
- Occupational therapy services Occupational therapists can help you improve your independence, safety, comfort, wellbeing and quality of life.
Psychology services Psychologists use various approaches to help people with cancer and their families adjust to the emotional and psychological challenges of cancer.
Other clinical services in the Parkville precinct
Peter Mac is also part of the Parkville precinct (Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital), with services listed separately, above. If you would like to advise of any relevant services or provide feedback please email, ACSC. If you are treated elsewhere, please speak with your oncology team, as you may have different clinical service options.
