Pronounced: CAN-sir Fah-TEEG
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.
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:
These factors increase your chance of developing cancer fatigue:
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
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:
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may be asked:
Your doctor may also use a questionnaire to assess your fatigue.
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
Your doctor may prescribe:
Your doctor may recommend that you try these approaches:
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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