19/04/2024
Survivors of cancer may be frustrated to discover that they continue to endure specific side effects, one of which is impaired cognitive function. According to cancer.net, this affects 70% of cancer patients during treatment and may affect one-third of individuals afterward.
Memory loss is widespread when this happens, and the degree varies across people based on various circumstances. However, those who go through it may need help to think effectively or recollect simple things on the spot.
However, there is hope for survivors who face this problem since there are ways to counteract it.
One of these options is to study a foreign language. Learning a language is beneficial in combating brain fog, but it may also be enjoyable and give survivors an entirely new skill set.
How can studying a foreign language improve my memory?
Learning a second language is a great brain exercise. According to Psychology Today, 'language management draws upon executive skills such as attention control, cognitive inhibition, and working memory.
As a result, persons who study foreign languages have a higher working memory for regular day-to-day tasks and excel at assessing their environment, multitasking, and problem-solving.
Is it too late to learn a language?
Research that examined the cognitive performance of 853 bilingual and multilingual volunteers found that these benefits may be obtained at any age. They had all learned foreign languages at different stages in their lives, and it was shown that even those who learned languages later in life had considerable cognitive advantages.
The study also acknowledged that you can be more fluent because you never acquire native-like excellence.
Furthermore, speaking a language regularly to enjoy the benefits is unnecessary since 'little difference was identified between active and passive bilinguals. As a result, it is considered that acquiring a second language has long-term cognitive impacts, regardless of how often it is used.
How can I get started?
The benefit of learning a second language is that there are only drawbacks if you consider the amount of time and effort required.
Start by creating realistic objectives to keep you motivated, such as learning a particular number of words each week or studying for a specified time each day.
Some techniques for learning a language: online tutors, apps
- Using applications - Several good language apps are available, some of which need a monthly membership, such as FluentU, while others, such as Duolingo, provide information for free.
- Taking a course - There are both online and in-person language learning classes available, so if you're dedicated, it might be helpful to have an organised manner of learning with online language tutors to assist you on livexp.com.
- Gemma Crotty is a volunteer blog writer at Solaris Cancer Centre based in Melbourne. She is working on a graduate diploma in communication at La Trobe University and hopes to work in communications or journalism. Gemma's Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Sydney gave her a solid humanities study foundation. She is passionate about writing and enjoys discovering new methods to perfect her craft and connect with people via her writing.
Learning the Cancer Vocabulary
- A biopsy removes cells or tissues for evaluation by a pathologist. The pathologist may examine the tissue under a microscope or further test the cells or tissue. There are several types of biopsy methods. The three most frequent methods are (1) incisional biopsy, which removes simply a sample of tissue; (2) excisional biopsy, which removes the entire lump or questionable region; and (3) needle biopsy, which uses a needle to extract a sample of tissue or fluid. A core biopsy is a technique that involves the use of a broad needle. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a method that uses a thin needle.
- Chemotherapy ("chemo") is a treatment that employs medications to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells by killing or preventing them from growing. Depending on the kind and stage of the cancer being treated, chemotherapy can be administered orally, by injection or infusion, or topically. It can be used alone or with other therapies such as surgery, radiation, or biological therapy.
- Dosimetrist: Someone who assesses the appropriate radiation dose for therapy.
- Immunosuppression inhibits the immune system's ability to combat infections and illnesses. Drugs can be used to purposely induce immunosuppression in preparation for bone marrow or other organ transplantation, preventing donor tissue rejection. It can also be caused by illnesses like AIDS or lymphoma, as well as anticancer medications.
- Immunotherapy is a therapy that employs drugs to either activate or inhibit the immune system to assist the body fight cancer, infection, and other disorders. Some immunotherapies only target specific immune cells. Others have a more widespread effect on the immune system. Immunotherapy includes cytokines, vaccinations, bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), or monoclonal antibodies.