Webinar Details

2024 Helping Patients Deal with Changes in Memory, Thinking and Focus (aka Cancer Related Cognitive ‎Impairment)‎

November 20, 2024

Session Description:
A common side effect of cancer treatment is cognitive impairment – confusion, memory problems, difficulty with focus and concentration, and inability to ‎multitask or word-find. This collection of symptoms is commonly referred to as “chemo brain,” although radiation, anesthesia, treatment side effects, and even ‎the cancer disease itself can cause cognitive issues. These cognitive changes add additional concerns and worries for cancer patients and families, leading to ‎increased anxiety, stress, and sadness. Patients do not know what is wrong or how to fix it. They feel alone and isolated. Additionally, when patients complain ‎about symptoms, they are often told they have “chemo brain” and unfortunately, it is a side-effect they may need to live with but hopefully it will resolve soon. ‎Studies suggest that up to 75% of patients with cancer experience one or more of these phenomena, which researchers believe are caused by changes in the brain’s neural networks. Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) significantly impacts a patient’s quality of life and mental health at a time when they may already be overwhelmed by ‎their diagnosis and treatment. Although most symptoms resolve within a year of treatment, 20% to 35% of patients experience cognitive impairment for far ‎longer, sometimes permanently.

Cognitive changes can be subtle, but sometimes the changes are more dramatic. Those with problems are very aware of the ‎differences in their thinking, and many don’t mention these problems until it affects their everyday life. CRCI can cause serious disruption and emotional distress ‎to patients and families, and while fMRI demonstrates changes in the brain due to cancer treatments, many health care professionals still discount patients’ ‎reports of CRCI and/or write the complaints off to menopause or anxiety. CRCI is hard to study, with most patients performing within normal ranges on existing ‎neuropsychiatric tests; and despite “passing” tests, patients still report forgetfulness and other cognitive challenges. fMRIs show that these patients must use ‎larger, more diffuse areas of their brains than those who have not had cancer treatment(s). They get the right answers, but they must work much harder to do so. ‎Their response and reaction times are slower, and their attention and concentration suffer. Studies also demonstrate that the parts of the brain that deal with ‎memory, planning, putting thought into action, monitoring thought processes and behavior and inhibition are smaller and/or less active after cancer treatment. Changes in the brain are still seen 5 to ‎10 years after treatment has ended.

The options to treat CRCI are limited, with no standard of care or universal recommendation, nor medications approved for ‎CRCI. The most effective recommendations are referrals to speech pathologists or neuropsychologists for evaluation and treatment; addressing underlying issues ‎like sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety; and the utilization of cognitive behavioral training (CBT) that include behavioral strategies. This webinar will ‎explore the impact of CRCI on patients and families; and demonstrate how to address these impacts utilizing evidence-based interventions that are easy to ‎implement and scale according to practice locale and will enhance patients’ quality of life.‎

Speakers:
Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C

Linda Hutkin-Slade is a licensed clinical social worker and certified oncology social worker at Sharp Grossmont Cancer Center. She brings personal and ‎professional experience to her work offering clinical counseling, facilitating support groups, offering multiple monthly educational workshops, and serving as the ‎psychosocial coordinator for INCP. Linda spearheaded efforts to develop and implement an award-winning and innovative continuum program to address ‎cancer related cognitive impairment. Linda received her BA from the University of California, San Diego, and her MSW from San Diego State University. She is ‎active in AOSW and currently is co-leader of the Radiation Therapy SIG.‎

Cheryl Whittington Fogel, MSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW, OSW-C

Cheryl Whittington-Fogel is a licensed clinical social worker, certified oncology social worker and a certified advanced clinician in hospice and palliative care social ‎work. With a BA in Psychology from UCLA and an MSW from San Diego State University, Cheryl serves as the Neuro-Oncology social worker at the Sharp ‎Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, where she develops and facilitates outpatient psychosocial support services for neuro-oncology and advanced cancer ‎patients. She provides clinical counseling, facilitation of support groups, psychosocial education, and mentors MSW interns. Cheryl has received multiple awards ‎and recognitions for her service and commitment to her patients, community, and students.‎

Learning Objectives:
After attending the session, participants will be able to:
  1. ‎Identify the impact of cancer related cognitive impairment on the lives of patients and families.
  2. Describe the impact of stress and anxiety on memory ‎and attention.
  3. Identify three techniques to reduce arousal thereby improving cognition and build upon the cognitive strengths that remain.‎

CE credits: 1.5‎, which will be available for $25.
Click here to view Continuing Education information.
Category: Clinical/General
Educational Level: Intermediate