Cancer Fatigue
(Fatigue, Cancer)
Pronounced: CAN-sir Fah-TEEG
Definition
Cancer fatigue is when you feel very weak and exhausted during cancer treatment. You may struggle to complete daily tasks. Fatigue can last for weeks or even years.
Chemotherapy Through Cardiovascular System
Causes
Cancer and the side effects of treatment cause this condition. If your body is already weakened by cancer when treatment begins, then it is even more difficult to handle the side effects.
These conditions are caused by cancer or cancer treatment and can add to fatigue:
- Anemia —due to chemotherapy , which can kill red blood cells and affect the blood-forming cells in bone marrow
- Poor nutrition and dehydration —due to loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting
- Lack of oxygen—due to fewer red blood cells, which carry oxygen
- Hormonal changes—due to hormonal therapies, side effects of treatment, or type of cancer, such as thyroid cancer
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Other factors:
- Lack of sleep
- Depression
- Stress
- Pain
- Side effects of medications
Risk Factors
These factors increase your chance of developing cancer fatigue:
- Undergoing cancer treatment (eg, chemotherapy, radiation , biologic response modifier therapy)
- Worsening of cancer
- Having a pre-existing condition (eg, poor nutrition, breathing impairment)
- Having a history of depression or having family members with depression
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to cancer fatigue. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have any of these:
- Extreme fatigue that is far worse than ordinary fatigue and that is not relieved by sleep
- No energy to do basic tasks, such as cooking dinner, making the bed, or answering the door
- Trouble concentrating and remembering
- Dizziness
- Heaviness of arms and legs
- Poor balance
- Shortness of breath
- Impatience, irritability
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may be asked:
- Have your symptoms been worsening? When do your symptoms appear and how long do they last?
- What medications are you taking?
- How often do you sleep and for how long?
- What are you eating?
- What makes you feel better? Worse?
- Have you been depressed?
- How has your work status and financial condition been affected by cancer?
- What kind of support system do you have?
Your doctor may also use a questionnaire to assess your fatigue.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe:
- Medications to treat the underlying condition (such as anemia)
- Antidepressants
Home Care
Your doctor may recommend that you try these approaches:
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Exercise:
- Do a light to moderate program. This may be to walk 15-30 minutes a day.
- Learn your exercise limits.
- Identify the times of day when you have the most energy.
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Follow proper sleep and relaxation techniques:
- Relax before bed by listening to music or reading.
- Try not to nap for more than one hour.
- Get at least eight hours of sleep.
- Eat a healthful diet .
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To help you have more control, schedule time to:
- Talk with a therapist to help you cope with your diagnosis.
- Talk with your employer about your work schedule and workload.
- Talk with a financial advisor to help you with your costs and to plan for the future.
Alternative Medicine
Reiki is a type of spiritual healing. It focuses how energy flows in your body. A study published in Integrative Cancer Therapies reports that Reiki was more effective than rest in reducing fatigue and improving quality of life. If you are interested in this type of therapy, talk to your doctor first to make sure it won't interfere with your treatment.
RESOURCES:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
National Cancer Institute of Canada
http://www.ncic.cancer.ca/
References:
Cancer, chemotherapy, anemia and fatigue: what’s the connection? Anemia Institute website. Available at: http://www.anemiainstitute.org/index.php/en/Patient/Anemia-and-Cancer/Cancer,-Chemotherapy,-Anemia-and-Fatigue-What%E2%80%99s-the-Connection . Accessed November 19, 2008.
Cancer fatigue: it’s more than just being tired. EBSCO Publishing Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=1034 . Updated January 2007. Accessed November 8, 2008.
Cancer fatigue: why it occurs and how to cope. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-fatigue/CA00032. Updated July 2007 . Accessed November 19, 2008
Coping with fatigue from chemotherapy. EBSCO Publishing Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=1034 . Updated July 2008. Accessed November 8, 2008.
Fatigue and cancer. International Cancer Council website. Available at: http://iccnetwork.org/cancerfacts/ICC-CFS12.pdf . Accessed November 19, 2008.
Feeling tired vs. cancer-related fatigue. American Cancer Society website. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_2_3X_Cancer-Related_Fatigue_Plagues_Many_Patients.asp?sitearea=MIT . Updated October 2008. Accessed November 8, 2008.
Radiation therapy. EBSCO Publishing Patient Education Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=1034 . Updated March 2008. Accessed November 8, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005;298.
Tsang K, Carlson, L. Pilot crossover trial of reiki versus rest for treating cancer-related fatigue. Integrative Cancer Therapies . 2007;6:25-35.
What to do when you feel weak or tired. National Cancer Institute website. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wtk/fatigue . Accessed November 8, 2008.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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