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Podcast: Think Neuro
Episode: 14. Treating the Effects of Cancer on Mind and Spirit | Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan
Description: Treating cancer involves more than treating the body. The disease takes a toll on the mind, too, no matter what organ system it affects. Cancer and treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy come with mental costs as well. Depression, anxiety, cognitive symptoms, and insomnia are common after cancer treatment. There is also a syndrome that patients call “chemo brain” and doctors call “frontal lobe dysfunction.” It’s not an official diagnosis, but patients who suffer from it say they are more irritable, they can’t tolerate loud noises or crowded spaces. Dr. Shanthi Gowrinathan has seen all of these things. She’s the Di...