Cancer fatigue: When they just don't have energy

BANGALORE: A survey of 419 cancer patients underscored that fatigue following chemotherapy has an impact on their health and their economic wellbeing. Seventy-eight per cent of cancer patients consistently experienced fatigue. Nearly nine out of ten of those who experienced fatigue said it interfered with their normal daily life. Among those who experienced fatigue, 60 per cent said it affected their daily lives more than any other side effect of their cancer treatment -- outweighing effects of nausea, depression and pain.The survey was carried out in the US by the Fatigue Coalition, a multidisciplinary group of American medical practitioners, researchers and patient advocates. The study included those who had been treated for cancers of breast, prostate, lung and skin as well as leukemia and lymphoma. The findings were discussed at the second World Summit Against Cancer (WSAC) in Versailles last week. One of the papers presented at the WSAC states, ``Unfortunately, while medical science has been making steady progress in the treatment of cancer, cancer-related fatigue is often overlooked, under-recognised and under-treated. The causes of cancer fatigue are complex and may include physical and psychological aspects. However, anaemia caused by cancer treatment or cancer itself has been identified as a major contributory factor.'''' With anaemia, the number of oxygen-carrying red cells in the blood falls to an abnormally low level. The body tissues become short of oxygen and the patient lacks energy and suffers from a severe form of fatigue, increasingly being referred to as cancer fatigue. The symptoms include: tiredness, weakness, feeling wornout and pain in legs. Patients may also find it difficult to climb stairs or walk even short distances. Daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning or taking a shower may become extremely tiring. Many patients may have difficulty socialising, even with family and close friends. The survey also found that over 45 per cent of those suffering from fatigue said it lasted at least one week after chemotherapy and another 33 per cent said it lasted for two or more weeks -- the longest lasting side effect of treatment. One-third of fatigued patients reported they had been diagnosed with anaemia, yet only less than one in ten of them was treated with prescription drugs or transfusions. Almost 30 per cent said fatigue forced them to stop work altogether.