Many young people with cancer experience memory-related side-effects from chemotherapy, a new study has found.

According to researchers at the University of Manchester, their findings go some way to proving the existence of ‘chemo-brain', a perceived effect reported by many patients that involves poor memory and concentration.

Preliminary results by the researchers indicate that chemotherapy patients perform poorer on a range of cognitive tests and this can last up to five years after treatment has stopped.

In fact, over half performed in the bottom 10% of the population when it came to spatial abilities, while one in four was in the bottom 10% for long-term verbal memory.

This marks the first study to investigate the theory that chemotherapy affects the brain of people aged between 16 and 50.

"This means that many 16 to 50 year old cancer patients may have difficulties in learning and memory. It certainly seems to support the phenomenon of chemo-brain that so many cancer patients experience. We are now working on additional analyses to account for other factors, such as depression or tiredness," said researcher and PhD student, Oana Linder.

The findings are especially significant for young patients hoping to return to education or work, the researchers pointed out.

Commenting on the findings, Nigel Revell of the UK Teenage Cancer Trust, said that they confirmed ‘what we have long suspected, that chemotherapy can impact young people who have gone through it'.

"Given the increasing number of people living with and beyond cancer, this is particularly pertinent," he added.

Details of these findings were presented at the International Conference on Teenage and Young Adult Cancer in London.