News Release

Lecture to Discuss Brain Fog

Halifax, N.S., August 31, 2011— Brain fog, the term used to describe learning changes associated with cancer treatment, is the topic of the next Cancer Answers lecture Thursday, September 22.

The Cancer Care Nova Scotia event will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in Room 3612 of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, and by video conference at 16 sites across the province.

The lecture series is designed to provide Nova Scotians with quality cancer information. The lecture will be presented by Dr. Heather Palmer, Founder/Director of Cognitive Rehabilitation Maximum Capacity: Strategies for Cognitive Enhancement.

"Although cognitive disruption following cancer diagnosis and treatment is becoming universally accepted by patients, health care professionals and researchers, there is still little known about what causes it and what can be done about it,” said Dr. Palmer. “I hope this lecture will provide a sense of relief to those who are affected, and a greater understanding of the strategies and techniques that can be used to help combat it.”

“The brain has the capacity to develop new connections between brain regions and, through proper training, people can regain cognitive skills once thought to be lost for good.”

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, a program of the Department of Health and Wellness, was created in 1998 to facilitate quality cancer prevention and care for all Nova Scotians. It supports health professionals in providing patients with high quality care.

Its work with other organizations and its screening programs raise awareness about the importance of healthy lifestyles to reduce cancer risk, and educate Nova Scotians about available testing such as Pap tests for cervical cancer and Home Screening Kits for colon cancer. The goal is to find cancer earlier and treat it better.

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Media contact:
Christine Smith
Cancer Care Nova Scotia
902-222-9739
Email: christine.smith@ccns.nshealth.ca