Chemotherapy ‘Could Cause Brain Damage’ In Breast Cancer Patients
November 16, 2011
The Daily Mail
By Sadie Whitelocks
“Here is yet another example why chemotherapy is not the answer to cancer.” –KTRN
Chemotherapy could cause brain damage in breast cancer patients scientists have warned.
A groundbreaking study discovered that breast cancer patients who had undergone the treatment – which uses medicine to kill cancerous cells – had significantly less activity in parts of the brain responsible for memory and planning compared to those who were not treated.
Researchers from Stanford University believe the findings could explain the phenomenon ‘chemo brain’ – a term used to describe foggy thinking and memory lapses following chemotherapy sessions.
Lead author Shelli Kesler said: ‘This is a huge validation for these women who are telling their doctors ‘something is wrong with me.”
The study involved 25 breast cancer patients who had been treated with chemotherapy, 19 breast cancer patients who had surgery and other treatments, and 18 healthy women.
All were asked to perform a card-sorting task, involving problem-solving skills while their brain activity was monitored through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
