Cancer fatigue, also known as cancer-related fatigue, or CRF, is an ongoing feeling of tiredness and exhaustion following treatment for a cancer diagnosis. Whether a patient’s cancer treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the three, undergoing treatment can be incredibly taxing on the body, leading to significant feelings of fatigue. These physical signs of fatigue, in addition to the emotional stress and anxiety surrounding a cancer diagnosis, can be difficult to deal with unless treated properly.
CRF is extremely common, affecting more than 80% of cancer patients that receive some combination of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment. Despite being so common, this fatigue can still be challenging for patients to deal with on their own, and it should be addressed with a customized treatment plan to accommodate a patient’s individual needs and symptoms.
Cancer-related fatigue can affect any person that has been diagnosed with cancer, including prostate cancer, and it can continue to be present even after a patient’s initial treatment has been completed. Monitoring signs of fatigue and identifying patterns in a patient’s symptoms can be helpful in determining how best to treat CRF.
When and Why Does CRF Occur?
CRF can occur, before, during, and even long after a cancer patient’s initial treatment. Some patients experience heavy fatigue early on in their diagnosis, while others experience CRF weeks or months later.
Cancer-related fatigue usually stems from a variety of different forms of stress related to a patient’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. These include the physical stress that surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can subject a patient’s body to, as well as the emotional stress that comes from receiving a cancer diagnosis. Because it is so important to treat cancer promptly once diagnosed, rapid changes to a patient’s schedule to accommodate treatment can also be incredibly stressful, especially if a patient lives a particularly busy life or has pre-existing medical conditions that compound with their recent cancer diagnosis.
Learn more about what to expect from radiation treatment for prostate cancer here.
Symptoms of CRF
While some amount of exhaustion is common following any cancer diagnosis, identifying signs of cancer-related fatigue is critical for formulating a customized treatment plan to improve a patient’s life. Below is a list of symptoms to be mindful of if you suspect that you may be struggling with CRF, as described by the National Cancer Institute:
• Having no energy; feeling extremely tired, drained, or lethargic
• Having difficulty moving; feeling heavy or slow
• Having difficulty thinking, remembering, or paying attention
• Having a sense of physical, emotional, and/or mental exhaustion
• Not feeling rested, even after sleeping
If you or someone you know identifies with one or more of these symptoms following cancer treatment, speak with a trusted medical professional about how best to manage this fatigue.
How to Deal With CRF
Despite being so common, cancer-related fatigue can have a huge impact on a patient’s quality of life. A patient’s ability to spend time with their family, being able to perform at work, and socializing with friends can all be difficult to undergo while dealing with CRF. Because of this, it is important to identify symptoms and work on creating a treatment plan to help reduce a patient’s feelings of fatigue.
Fortunately, there are many things that a patient can do to help combat symptoms of cancer-related fatigue. Patients should practice good sleep hygiene, going to bed at roughly the same time every night and waking up at a consistent time the following morning. Avoiding common sleep disruptors, such as having the TV on or overheating, can also be helpful in achieving a quality night’s sleep. Patients should also avoid using electronic devices, such as smartphones or computers, before bed, as the blue light emitted from these screens can interfere with the brain’s ability to wind down properly towards the end of the day. Patients can also use natural remedies, such as drinking chamomile tea, reading a book, or taking melatonin before bed, to create a pre-sleep ritual that conditions their body to begin the process of preparing for sleep.
A patient’s ability to stay in good physical shape can also have a tremendous impact on reducing the symptoms of CRF. This includes maintaining a balanced diet with a proper balance of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy (if tolerated) and more to give the body all the vitamins, minerals, and fuel that it needs for energy levels to rise. Conversely, an unbalanced diet, such as one mostly consisting of processed or “junk” foods can diminish a patient’s ability to maintain energy, further contributing to the exhaustion that cancer-related fatigue can cause. You may consider speaking with a healthcare professional or nutritionist to help formulate a diet that is best suited for you and your individual needs.
Those dealing with symptoms of CRF are also encouraged to exercise regularly in ways that their lifestyle and health will allow. A specific emphasis could be placed on exercise that encourages mind-body awareness, such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi. These exercises can help patients to have a better understanding of the physical sensation that their body is experiencing, which in turn can make it easier to identify symptoms and explore treatment options, accordingly.
In some cases, further medical treatment may be required to treat a patient’s feelings of fatigue and exhaustion. Speak with a medical professional if the above have proven to be unhelpful, especially if you’re suffering from anemia, physical pain, depression, or anxiety, as these can exacerbate symptoms of CRF and worsen if left untreated. Additional treatment, including blood tests, medication, talk therapy, and more can help treat underlying conditions that are contributing to the worsening of cancer-related fatigue symptoms.
Resources You Can Use
As with any diagnosis, having a strong support group can make all the difference when undergoing treatment, and it can also help patients navigate the difficulties of cancer-related fatigue. Seek out family and friends and ask if they’d be willing to help drive you to appointments, attend treatment sessions with you (if permitted), and serve as verbal and emotional support over the course of your treatment and recovery.
Patients should also seek out a team of trusted medical professionals that they can work with comfortably throughout their treatment. Finding a medical provider that is qualified, nearby, and filled with compassionate professionals can be challenging, but it will make all the difference in ensuring that a patient’s cancer journey is as manageable as possible. Talk therapy, including with a licensed mental health professional or cancer support group, can also help patients to process their diagnosis, symptoms, and recovery, and feel a sense of understanding from other people that are struggling with similar issues.
For more information and resources in dealing with cancer treatment, recovery, and cancer-related fatigue, visit the websites below:
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Patients should consider speaking to their doctor if they suspect that they may be struggling with cancer-related fatigue. While some amount of tiredness is to be expected after a medical diagnosis/treatment, CRF may need to be discussed with a doctor if it continues to interfere with a patient’s daily life for an extended period of time. Take notes if and when you notice feeling fatigued over the course of your cancer treatment and recovery. If these feelings begin to grow more frequent or make it difficult to interact with family, friends, or perform at work, it may be time to speak with a medical professional to explore treatment options.
When working with a healthcare professional, you may be asked to keep a log of your fatigue and other symptoms of CRF. Journaling symptoms, including their frequency, intensity, and variety, can help your healthcare team to identify patterns in your fatigue, and develop a treatment plan to accommodate your individual needs. Try your best to practice regular mindfulness, paying attention to the physical sensations in your body. Identify exactly where the exhaustion or pain presents and speak with your doctor about how this can best be addressed. Guided meditations or mindfulness exercises can help patients focus on different areas of the body individually and be more in tune with what they are feeling. In turn, this will make it easier to determine how best their symptoms can be treated.
As with any serious medical diagnosis, recovery from cancer treatment and cancer-related fatigue can be difficult to deal with on your own. Surrounding yourself with a strong support group of friends, family and medical professionals, practicing good sleep hygiene, exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, and speaking with mental health professionals or support groups can make all the difference in expediting your recovery.