[Hinews] Breast cancer patients worried about cognitive side effects from chemotherapy—commonly known as ‘chemo brain’ or cancer-related cognitive impairment—may find reassurance in a new study. Contrary to common fears, the research shows that breast cancer survivors have an 8% lower risk of developing dementia than the general population.

Published in JAMA Network Open, the findings challenge the assumption that chemotherapy-related memory lapses or attention problems lead to long-term cognitive decline.

Breast cancer patients may experience temporary cognitive decline during chemotherapy, yet their long-term dementia risk is lower than that of the general population. (Image: ClipArtKorea)
Breast cancer patients may experience temporary cognitive decline during chemotherapy, yet their long-term dementia risk is lower than that of the general population. (Image: ClipArtKorea)


No Connection Between Chemo Brain and Dementia
The study, conducted by researchers from Samsung Medical Center, Soongsil University, and Seoul National University Hospital, followed nearly 70,000 breast cancer patients who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2016. They were compared with 180,000 age-, sex-, income-, and comorbidity-matched individuals over an average follow-up of 7.9 years.

Dementia incidence was slightly lower among breast cancer patients—2.45 cases per 1,000 person-years—compared with 2.63 cases in the control group. This protective effect remained after adjusting for confounding factors. Researchers suggest that chemotherapy drugs such as taxanes and anthracyclines may cause temporary cognitive issues but could also inhibit tau protein buildup, a hallmark of dementia.

(From left) Prof. Dong Wook Shin, Samsung Medical Center; Prof. Kyungdo Han, Soongsil University; Prof. Soo Min Jung, Seoul National University Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Medical Center)
(From left) Prof. Dong Wook Shin, Samsung Medical Center; Prof. Kyungdo Han, Soongsil University; Prof. Soo Min Jung, Seoul National University Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Medical Center)


Radiation Therapy Linked to Greater Protection
Patients who received radiation therapy showed an even more pronounced benefit, with a 23% lower dementia risk. Researchers hypothesize that incidental low-dose radiation exposure to the brain may reduce inflammation and help preserve cognitive function, though the exact mechanism remains under study.

"Cognitive impairment during chemotherapy is usually temporary," said Dong Wook Shin, a professor at Samsung Medical Center. "Patients should focus on their treatment and managing complications rather than worrying about dementia."

Lifestyle and Chronic Conditions Pose Bigger Risks

The study underscores that lifestyle factors and comorbidities contribute far more to dementia risk than cancer treatments. Among breast cancer patients, smokers had more than double the risk of dementia, those with diabetes had a 58% higher risk, and patients with chronic kidney disease faced a threefold higher risk.

Soo Min Jung, a professor at Seoul National University Hospital, emphasized the study’s implications: "These findings confirm that cognitive changes during breast cancer treatment do not lead to dementia. We hope this gives patients confidence to pursue their treatment."

The research offers reassurance to breast cancer patients, dispelling fears of long-term cognitive decline and suggesting that survivors may even retain a cognitive advantage over their peers.

키워드

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