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Fatigue
• What is cancer-related fatigue?
• What is causing my fatigue?
• How is my fatigue related to my treatment?
• Does chronic fatigue mean that my cancer has worsened?
• How will Continuum Cancer Centers of New York assess my fatigue?
• What treatments does Continuum Cancer Centers of New York provide for fatigue?
• Specific treatments for cancer related fatigue
• 10 tips to help you lessen fatigue, or assist you in treating it
• Why does my fatigue continue even after I rest or sleep?

What is cancer-related fatigue?
Fatigue remains one of the most overlooked and under-treated side effects of having cancer, although it has a profound effect on the lives of cancer patients. Cancer itself can cause a great deal of fatigue, and a loss of energy is one of the major side effects of most forms of cancer treatment. For many people, it is a daily reminder that they are ill.

Continuum Cancer Centers of New York health care professionals can provide you with help that can lessen the effects of fatigue.

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy that varies in degree, frequency and duration. For most people, fatigue is a temporary condition, something you feel after strenuous activity, which will go away if you take a quick nap. Fatigue can affect quality of life in many different ways — physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Fatigue can also affect the way you think and feel. It can cause you to have difficulty concentrating, to lose interest in your activities, and to become impatient.

Chronic fatigue doesn't go away. It is associated with a disease or treatment of a disease that does not improve with rest. Chronic fatigue can seriously affect a person's ability to function and their quality of life. For cancer patients, fatigue is a common medical condition.

Unfortunately, many patients don't talk to their doctor about fatigue, because they don't understand exactly what it is, or they think that feeling tired from cancer or cancer treatment is "normal." You should tell your doctor when you are experiencing fatigue and ask for information about underlying causes and treatment side effects.

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What is causing my fatigue?
Though little is known about fatigue prevention and treatment, fatigue is caused by a variety of medical and physical conditions and psychosocial factors. These factors include:

• Anemia

• Major organ dysfunction, including heart and lung disease, and liver or kidney failure

• Hypothyroidism (insufficient production of the thyroid hormone) or adrenal problems

• Neuromuscular disorders

• Malnutrition, infection, dehydration, or salt imbalances

• Sleep disorders, immobility and lack of exercise

• Chronic pain or pain medication

• Anxiety, depression and stress

Another common cause of fatigue is chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy can lower the number of red cells in your blood, which carry oxygen throughout your body and give you energy. Fatigue can also result from surgery and radiation oncology. Cancer and cancer treatment can also disrupt your eating or sleeping habits, both of which may result in fatigue.

Fatigue in people with cancer may have other causes. Tumors can cause fatigue directly or indirectly by forming toxic substances in the body that interfere with normal cell functions. Medication, lack of exercise, or pre-existing physical or psychological conditions can cause fatigue.

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How is my fatigue related to my treatment?
Fatigue is a common symptom associated with chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and anemia.

Fatigue caused by chemotherapy
Fatigue from chemotherapy affects most patients, lasting for one to two weeks following treatment, then decreasing gradually. Chemotherapy can lower the number of red cells in your blood, which carry oxygen throughout your body and give you energy. Having fewer red blood cells means that your body gets "out of breath" when you do something even mildly strenuous.

Fatigue caused by radiation
Fatigue as a result of radiation oncology affects almost all patients and may worsen during the course of your treatment, peaking at four to six weeks. In order to heal itself, the body uses a lot of energy during radiation oncology. The additive effects of stress related to your illness, daily trips for treatment, and the effects of radiation on normal cells all may contribute to fatigue. Fatigue usually lessens after your therapy is completed, although not all patients return to their normal levels of energy.

Fatigue caused by surgery
Fatigue is a problem following surgery, but fatigue from surgery improves with time. It can be worse, however, when it is combined with the fatigue caused by other cancer treatments. Fatigue from cancer surgery can last for weeks or months, and may be caused by anxiety from surgical preparation and presurgical testing. Pain after surgery, the effects of anesthesia, sedatives, or analgesics may also cause fatigue.

Anemia
Anemia is a major factor in cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in people with cancer. It may be caused by the cancer itself or by cancer treatments, or it may be related to other physiological changes. A medical history, a physical examination, and blood tests may be used to determine the kind and extent of anemia that a person may have.

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