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For many cancer survivors, finishing treatment is not the end of the journey—it’s the beginning of a new phase filled with unexpected challenges. Among them is “brain fog,” a frustrating and often overlooked side effect that can affect memory, focus, and quality of life. Sarah E. James, M.D., Ph.D., a radiation oncologist and neuroscientist, is working to better understand and address these long-term effects through survivorship-focused research.
A Simple Idea with Meaningful Impact
Dr. James is leading the RESTORE study, in collaboration with Arizona State University. The study explores whether a practical lifestyle change can help breast cancer survivors think more clearly and sleep better. While the concept may sound straightforward, the potential impact is significant.
“Brain fog isn’t just an inconvenience,” she explains. “It affects people’s ability to work, maintain relationships, and live independently.” Despite how disruptive it can be, cognitive changes are often dismissed as a normal part of recovery—something survivors are expected to simply endure.
Her research challenges that assumption, aiming to validate survivors’ experiences and identify real, accessible solutions.
A Passion Rooted in Science and Compassion
Dr. James’ dedication to survivorship research is deeply personal and professional. She recognizes that one of the biggest concerns patients face when starting treatment is whether the physical and emotional toll will ultimately be “worth it.”
“That question doesn’t disappear when treatment ends,” she notes.
With a background in neuroscience, she is uniquely positioned to explore the cognitive effects of cancer treatment. Her work brings together two driving forces: a scientific curiosity about how the brain works and a commitment to addressing the long-term quality-of-life concerns that survivors face every day.
Learning Directly from Survivors
A key part of Dr. James’ approach is staying closely connected to the community she serves. She regularly engages with survivor peer groups—spaces where individuals come together to share experiences, find support, and be heard.
“These groups are essential,” she says. “They are safe, trusted environments where people can speak openly about what they’re going through.”
Beyond offering support, these communities play an important role in shaping research. They help ensure that studies reflect real-world needs, not just clinical assumptions. For Dr. James, listening to survivors isn’t optional—it’s foundational.
Breaking Barriers in Survivorship Care
Despite growing awareness of survivorship issues, significant gaps remain—especially when it comes to cognitive changes like brain fog.
One of the biggest challenges, Dr. James explains, is a cycle that limits progress. Providers may hesitate to screen for cognitive symptoms because there isn’t enough evidence on how to treat them. At the same time, without consistent assessment, it’s difficult to build that evidence base in the first place.
“We need better tools to assess cognitive changes,” she emphasizes. “That’s the first step toward addressing them.”
Breaking this cycle will require more research, greater awareness, and a shift in how survivorship care is prioritized.
A Call to Survivors: Your Voice Matters
For survivors and community members, Dr. James has a clear message: your experiences are powerful—and needed.
She encourages individuals to connect with support organizations like Coalition of Blacks Against Cancer, share their stories, and consider participating in research. These actions don’t just help advance science; they help shape a more responsive and equitable system of care.
“Be empowered to drive change,” she says. “We have to advocate for each other, push for equal access to care, and demand innovation that reduces suffering.”
Looking Ahead
Dr. James’ work highlights an important truth: survivorship is not just about ending treatment—it’s about restoring quality of life. By focusing on issues like brain fog and engaging directly with the community, her research is helping to bring visibility, validation, and hope to survivors navigating life after cancer.
And through studies like RESTORE, she is working toward a future where no survivor has to accept lingering challenges as “just part of recovery.”
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The Community Research Exchange provides the latest community updates from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center's Community Outreach and Engagement Office (COE) and Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS). Subscribe to our bi-monthly e-newsletter to get updates delivered right to your inbox.
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Hello: Jasmine. I'm doing self research on my tinnitus and light sensitivity and taste senses. I find my cluster headaches which appeared two years ago. I find my 12 months of cluster headaches which were concentrated within a 4 month period a debilitating experience. I'm 73 with a past of several life alternating experiences. Fast forwarding to two years ago I lost about 50% of my hearing in right ear. I also began a series of sleepless nights. It cascaded into severe tinnitus. It also began serious of light sensitivity which would render mr into darkness for hours at a time. This was ruining my marriage as 8+ visits to emergency rooms only resulted in me receiving medications which only masked the pain for several hours to a few days. After visiting 3 different ENTs and Two different neurologists, and one neurosurgeon. The only help I received was medication which me in a chair like a zomby. I fought through this and refused to become a zomby. This was another four trips to the emergency room until about a month ago. I decided to plan values on my vision and tintus problems. Also a medication change helped me, along with music therapy and vision therapy. Thanks to my new GP doctor. I have improved my vision sensitivity from approximately 1-5 candle power to at present a solid 40-120 candle power. I've also improved my tennitius brain connections from having bouts of 70-80 decibels to a solid 50-60 decibel. It's all manage now with taking 750 mg of methocarbamol three times a day along with 1,000mg of Tylenol with it. I also am receiving oxygen therapy and laser therapy through Dr. Berryies therapy for brain restoration. I'm current about three months cluster headache free, and able to function in a low light and sound environment for several hour a day. I've also began going outside for an hour or two a day. The advances I've made these past three weeks have been amazing. I have began my measurement techniques for tinnitus and vision loss as to place values on my losses and now gains. I believe my trigeminal neurological and vestibular neurological connects/brain had been disrupted. It's a complicated process which has brought me to this point; but I now see improvement which is measurable. My left eye is slow to dilate then my right eye which my excellent physical therapist documented. I've dealt with the mechanical and physics in manufacturing my entire life along with education. I now find how our vessels are very similar to a complex machine, and AI coding. The human neurolical system as it ties to the brain is an extremely complex system which not only has life based parts working collaboratively but also containes energy which can not be ever destroyed. Some people call it spirit/soul/common sense/will to live/ and other various mysterious forms of protons. I believe we have a soulful energy within our vessels which makes some of us humanity, creation loving, and collaborative loving life forms. What ever it's been an amazing journey for this 73 year old old fart. Just my option as I am improving and regaining my personality, and control over my vessel. Take care friend as you've chosen a wonderful career of service to others. I do believe by having measurable values for tinnitus and vision/light sensitivity. Would be helpful many suffering from tinnitus and cluster headaches. I realize that humans are not mass produced robots. We are all uniquely human as no two are alike my friend. Good night I'm tired and nee to regenerate. Good by for now friend.