Episode 01

Chemo Brain After Cancer:
Why It Happens and What Helps

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there? Lost your words halfway through a sentence, or read the same email three times and still not taken it in?

In this episode, Steph Davies is joined by Rosie Grainger and Professor Nazanin Derakhshan to talk about cancer related cognitive changes, often referred to as chemo brain.

Together, they talk about why these changes can happen after cancer treatment, how they can affect work, parenting and confidence, and what can help.

Listen on YouTube >>>

Listen on Spotify >>>

Apple Podcast Coming Soon

Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you’re there? Lost your words halfway through a sentence, or read the same email three times and still not taken it in?

At some point, you might start wondering:

Why is my memory worse?
Is this normal?
Will it get better?

In this episode, Steph is joined by Rosie Grainger and Professor Nazanin Derakhshan to talk about cancer-related cognitive changes, often referred to as chemo brain.

Rosie shares what it’s been like to return to work as a doctor while her brain does not feel the same and Professor Naz brings research and clinical insight to help make sense of why these changes happen, what can make them worse, and what can help.

Together, they talk about the impact of cognitive changes on work, parenting, confidence, and everyday life, and why so many people end up doubting themselves when this part of recovery is not spoken about enough.

Inside the episode, we talk about:

what chemo brain can feel like day to day
why cognitive changes can happen after cancer treatment, not only after chemotherapy
how memory, focus, and mental fatigue can affect work and home life
why these changes are often confused with menopause, stress, or ageing
the effect on confidence, identity, and self-trust
practical ways to support your brain and make everyday life feel more manageable

If you’ve been wondering whether this is “just you”, this episode is a reminder that it isn’t.

Useful links

Cognitive exercise designed to improve working memory
Coherence Breathing Technique - 5 mins

Coherence Breathing Technique - 20 mins
Understanding and improving chemo brain - Life after Cancer
What is cancer related cognitive impairment (CRCI)? - The Royal Marsden Hospital
Coping with cognitive changes (chemo brain) - Cancer Research UK
10 tips to navigate chemo brain - Holistic Cancer Centre

Disclaimer
The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health or notice any new or worsening symptoms, please contact your GP or your medical team.

Some of the research and evidence mentioned in this episode reflects the speaker’s academic and clinical work. We are currently gathering the relevant references and will update these show notes as soon as they are available.

Connect with us

Subscribe here: youtube.com/@life-aftercancer

Website: life-aftercancer.co.uk

Instagram: @life_aftercancer

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/life-after-cancer

00:00 Introduction

00:57 What is chemo brain?

02:34 Rosie’s cancer experience

04:22 Common symptoms of chemo brain

10:11 Returning to work after treatment

13:04 How cognitive changes affect confidence and relationships

15:59 Why chemo brain happens

18:16 Feeling isolated and misunderstood

21:51 Workplace understanding after cancer

24:18 Does chemo brain last forever?

32:32 Acceptance without giving up

33:47 Menopause, hormones and cognitive changes

35:38 ADHD and chemo brain

38:46 Recovery and rebuilding confidence

42:20 What actually helps chemo brain?

51:58 Exercise, mindfulness and small daily changes

57:26 When to seek support

58:43 Life after treatment - quick fire reflections

01:08:20 Final thoughts

Rosie Grainger is an obstetrician and gynaecologist, and mum of two, who recently finished cancer treatment. In this episode, she shares what it has been like returning to work while her memory, focus and confidence don’t feel the same as before.

Nazanin Derakhshan is a Professor of Experimental Psychology who has pioneered and published substantive research into understanding the roots of vulnerability to anxiety and depression, as well as developing interventions to boost resilience.

A key discovery of her work is the role of ‘cognitive efficiency’ in vulnerability and resilience to anxiety and depression. Following her own cancer diagnosis, Naz has raised awareness and conducted extensive research into chemobrain and its role in emotional vulnerability in women with a breast cancer diagnosis.

Her research has established useful ways by which we can boost cognitive and emotional resilience, improve workability and reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Naz is the founder and director of the award winning Centre for Building Resilience in Breast Cancer (BRiC). This is a psychoeducational support network with over 2500 women diagnosed with breast cancer anywhere in the UK and at any stage of their journey. The aims of the centre are to empower women with continued support after diagnosis.

Wang, X., Wang, N., Zhong, L., Wang, S., Zheng, Y., Yang, B., ... & Wang, Z. (2020). Prognostic value of depression and anxiety on breast cancer recurrence and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 282,203 patients. Molecular psychiatry, 25(12), 3186-3197.

Haywood, D., Dauer, E., Baughman, F. D., Lawrence, B. J., Rossell, S. L., Hart, N. H., & O’Connor, M. (2023). “Is my brain ever going to work fully again?”: challenges and needs of cancer survivors with persistent cancer-related cognitive impairment. Cancers, 15(22), 5331.

Swainston, J., Louis, C., Moser, J., & Derakshan, N. (2021). Neurocognitive efficiency in breast cancer survivorship: A performance monitoring ERP study. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 168, 9-20.

Chapman, B., Louis, C. C., Moser, J., Grunfeld, E. A., & Derakshan, N. (2023). Benefits of adaptive cognitive training on cognitive abilities in women treated for primary breast cancer: findings from a 1‐year randomised control trial intervention. Psycho‐Oncology, 32(12), 1848-1857.

Derakhshan, N. (2020). Attentional control and cognitive biases as determinants of vulnerability and resilience in anxiety and depression. In Cognitive biases in health and psychiatric disorders (pp. 261-274). Academic Press.

Dobretsova, A., & Derakshan, N. (2021). Cognitive function and emotional vulnerability in metastatic breast cancer: Moderating effects of age and social support. Psycho‐Oncology, 30(9), 1563-1571.

Eysenck, M. W., Moser, J. S., Derakshan, N., Hepsomali, P., & Allen, P. (2023). A neurocognitive account of attentional control theory: how does trait anxiety affect the brain’s attentional networks?. Cognition and Emotion, 37(2), 220-237.

Schapira L, Zheng Y, Gelber SI, Poorvu P, Ruddy KJ, Tamimi RM, Peppercorn J, Come SE, Borges VF, Partridge AH, Rosenberg SM. Trajectories of fear of cancer recurrence in young breast cancer survivors. Cancer.2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.33921

Key takeaways in this episode

Validation matters

These changes are common after cancer treatment, and naming them can be the first step in understanding them.

Chemo brain is not only linked to chemotherapy

Cognitive changes can be affected by treatment, trauma, menopause, hormonal therapies and the wider impact of cancer itself.

It’s more common than you think

Up to 95% of people with a cancer diagnosis experience cognitive changes, even if it’s not always spoken about.

Confidence can take a hit

Memory lapses, slower processing and mental fatigue can affect work, relationships and how you feel about yourself.

Small adjustments can help

Slowing the pace, writing things down, building in rest, exercise, mindfulness and cognitive exercises can all support recovery.

Acceptance is not surrender

One of the strongest points in this episode is that accepting what is happening does not mean giving up. It creates room for action.

This podcast shares experiences and perspectives on life after cancer.

It is not medical advice and cannot replace support from your healthcare team.

Some conversations may bring up strong feelings. If you need additional support,

consider reaching out to someone you trust, your GP, or your oncology team.

You can also find free online workshops, expert sessions, peer groups and

our 6 week programme at life-aftercancer.co.uk.

Find free support

Chemo Brain After Cancer: Why It Happens and What Helps