Chronic Fatigue

The chronic fatigue caused by cancer treatment is very different from the acute fatigue many people feel when they overdo it or are short of sleep. Acute fatigue is relieved by a good night's sleep. Chronic fatigue is not.

Chronic fatigue can affect how you feel physically, as well as your ability to concentrate and make decisions. It can affect whether you continue with your daily activities and the things that give you pleasure. It can even affect your cancer treatment. Cancer patients have reported that it is one of the most difficult side effects of cancer & cancer treatment that they face. In a survey conducted by the Fatigue Coalition, 28% of people with cancer reported they had stopped working entirely because of fatigue. A survey was conducted
of Canadian cancer patients asking about these side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Seventy-eight percent said they experienced fatigue – making it the most commonly mentioned side effect.

Many people with fatigue don’t take their condition seriously, think it is “just part” of being a cancer patient, or assume there is no treatment. The truth is that
fatigue — especially drastic or progressive changes in energy level — should
be brought to the attention of your doctor. There may be things that you can do to
reduce the impact of fatigue upon your life and your cancer treatment.