What is cancer related fatigue?


Cancer related fatigue affects most people with lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is different from other forms of fatigue and tiredness where people will feel their energy levels improve with rest. With cancer related fatigue, people find that their energy levels don’t improve with normal forms of rest and fatigue feels more unpredictable and disproportionate to the level of activity completed.

One of the most challenging aspects about cancer related fatigue is that there is no visual signs that show others and yourself how you are feeling. Some people question whether their fatigue is real or feel that they are simply being ‘lazy’.

It is important that you know that your symptoms are real and that there are very good reasons for you to be feeling the way you do.

There are a number of underlying causes of fatigue related to cancer, and research shows that it can be related to a combination of causes such as: cancer itself, cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery), pain, medications, low levels of your blood count (anaemia), poor sleep, shortness of breath (the work of breathing can be tiring), infection, reduced appetite, reduced physical activity, stress/anxiety, frustration or depression.

It is important that you discuss your fatigue with your medical team to allow a comprehensive assessment to determine whether there are any causes that can be managed or corrected (such as infection).

Unfortunately, not all fatigue can be resolved and if this is the case, fatigue management is required. Your allied health team are skilled in supporting your fatigue management and assess how patterns of your fatigue can be identified (for example what makes it better or worse, and what times of the day it is at its highest or lowest) and use specific strategies to reduce its impact. Whilst this does not resolve the fatigue entirely, it allows you to take control of it and how it impacts on your daily life.

The author Ms Pippa Labuc has no relevant disclosures to report for this article.

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