If you or someone you know is going through treatment for cancer, you might experience debilitating fatigue, or tiredness. In fact, fatigue can be one of the most challenging aspects of cancer to deal with both physically and emotionally.
Fatigue can cause patients to discontinue cancer treatment, leading to worse outcomes. It’s no surprise that in one survey of cancer survivors, dealing with fatigue and sleep loss were among the top concerns, ranking above managing other common side effects of cancer, such as pain or depression.
Let’s look at the science behind cancer fatigue and explore some coping strategies you may not have thought of.
What Does Cancer Fatigue Feel Like?
When describing cancer fatigue, one key factor that sets it apart from normal fatigue is its persistence. Unlike everyday fatigue from overexertion or lack of sleep, getting a good night’s sleep often doesn’t touch cancer fatigue.
In addition to having tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest, symptoms of cancer fatigue include:
- Difficulty sleeping, or feeling like you need more sleep even after a long rest
- Feeling like your arms and legs are too heavy to move
- Feelings of extreme weakness
- Inability to complete everyday activities, or being wiped out after activities that aren’t typically tiring for you
- Lethargy or sadness
- Levels of exhaustion that are unusual for you
- Trouble concentrating
Why Do I Feel Cancer Fatigue?
Fatigue ranks among the most common symptoms of cancer, yet not everyone experiences it. Causes of cancer fatigue can stem from the disease itself or from treatments you may be receiving.
Disease-Related Fatigue
Cancer can cause fatigue in many ways. The disease uses up calories and nutrients, which might drain your energy. It might also prompt your body to produce disease-fighting substances that can make you feel tired.
In addition, certain cancers affect how your body functions, for example, hindering blood cell or hormone production, triggering fatigue as a side effect.
Treatment-Related Fatigue
Fatigue is a common side effect of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
Cancer treatment can also suppress your appetite, depriving you of energy and leaving you exhausted. Some cancer treatments may lower your red blood cell count, leading to anemia. Pain, whether from cancer or cancer treatment, can be fatiguing in itself.
Fatigue related to cancer therapies is generally worse during treatment and improves over time after treatment ends.
How Can I Cope With Cancer Fatigue?
People with cancer have found different strategies for dealing with fatigue. Not every approach works for everyone. You may need to experiment to see what eases your tiredness the most.
Save Energy Where You Can
Find the mix of delegating some activities and letting others slide that lets you focus on your priorities without overdoing it. Try the same thing with time. For example, taking it easy in the morning may let you have a few relatively active hours in the afternoon.
Eat and Move
When you have cancer, your body still needs nutritious foods and appropriate physical activity to stay healthy. With cancer fatigue, though, you may need to learn new strategies for eating and moving.
Too tired to chew? Try a smoothie—or even a milkshake. Feel daunted by a stroll around the block? Commit to taking a turn through your house every morning, perhaps with a mission like watering the plants or dusting favorite photographs.
If fatigue continues to get in the way of eating or moving, ask your care team about resources such as a dietitian specializing in oncology or a gentle wellness class.
Look to Your Care Team
Let your doctor know what you’re going through. You may find that medication will help with pain that’s tiring you out. Some people benefit from medicine to help with sleeping problems. Anemia-related fatigue can be improved with medications that boost red blood cell production or with blood transfusions.
If stress is depriving you of sleep or rest, your doctor or patient navigator can refer you to a mental health provider to help you manage anxiety and learn relaxation techniques.
How Much Rest Do I Need With Cancer Fatigue?
As you may be discovering, more hours in bed don’t always help cancer fatigue. Aim for seven to eight hours per night, but don’t make getting an exact number another source of stress.
When Should I Contact My Care Team?
In one small survey of cancer patients and providers, participants overwhelmingly wished they had learned coping strategies for cancer fatigue far earlier. “It needs to be caught before it happens,” one provider said.
To get and stay ahead of cancer fatigue, talk with your doctor about dealing with tiredness before you begin treatment. Then, reach out as often as you need help.
If you experience shortness of breath when you’re active, trouble waking or a sudden increase in fatigue, or if you can’t get out of bed for more than 24 hours, call your doctor right away. These symptoms can indicate a serious problem.
Key Takeaways
Cancer fatigue affects more than your quality of life. Fortunately, there’s plenty you, your loved ones and your care team can do to help ease your fatigue so you can get through this challenging time. Remember:
- Cancer fatigue is quite common. It’s normal to feel tired.
- Medications can help with some types of cancer fatigue. Discuss options for fatigue with your care team before you begin cancer treatment.
- Other resources, from counseling to nutrition, can be powerful supports. Ask your cancer navigator where to begin.
Managing a cancer diagnosis? Connect with Cancer Support Services at Capital Health.