"I can't remember where I put my car keys. How frustrating!"

Many patients who've had chemotherapy complain about problems with memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities. Chemotherapy was once thought not to affect brain cells because the drugs could not get through the blood-brain barrier. Now a new study published in the online version of the journal Cancer confirms that breast cancer patients aren't exaggerating their memory problems after chemo.

The study showed that within 12 months of receiving chemotherapy, significant regions of the brain associated with memory, analysis, and other cognitive functions were significantly smaller in breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy than those who did not. The good news is that at three years post-surgery and four years post-chemo, there were no differences.

If you are frustrated that you developed ‘chemo brain' after treatment, take heart in knowing it is not a permanent condition. It will go away in time. It doesn't necessarily mean, though, that you will still remember where you put your car keys!