Cancer Related Fatigue: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment NYC

Table of Contents

• Cancer-Related Fatigue (CRF)

• Symptoms of Cancer-Related Fatigue

• Causes of CRF

• CRF Treatment

• How We Can Help

• FAQ

Cancer-Related Fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most commonly experienced side effects of cancer and its treatments. It is described as a distressing or persistent sense of physical, emotional, and/or cognitive tiredness. 

While fatigue is often a result of lack of sleep or exertion, cancer-related fatigue is directly related to cancer and its often taxing treatments. Unlike everyday fatigue, CRF is not proportional to physical activity nor is it completely relieved by rest.

Symptoms of Cancer-Related Fatigue

CRF can occur before, during, or after cancer treatments and can, unfortunately, last weeks, months, or even years after the completion of treatments. It is characterized as being more severe than general fatigue and can very much disrupt one’s quality of life and day-to-day function.  

The following are the most common cancer-related fatigue symptoms:

• Exhaustion

• Total lack of energy

• Depression/Anxiety

• Lack of interest

• Body aches/muscle pain

• Lack of motivation

• Sleep problems

• Brain fog

• Decreased endurance 

• Lack of hope

As each patient may experience cancer-related fatigue differently, it can sometimes be difficult to identify. Some patients may have only a couple of symptoms while others may experience all of these and more. Be sure to report any unusual symptoms to your provider. 

Causes of CRF

As the term implies, CRF is caused by either cancer or its treatment. The exact cause is however often very hard to determine. Most often it is caused by numerous factors, including one or more of the previously-mentioned symptoms in addition to pain, lack of sleep, anemia, diet, immobility, medications, emotional distress, hormone imbalance, etc. As such, fatigue can differ from one patient to another and from one day to the next.

Fatigue can occur during and after:

Surgery: Fatigue typically is most pronounced after surgery, but usually decreases as one recovers.

Chemotherapy, targeted therapy & immunotherapy: Fatigue typically peaks in the days following treatment and then improves until the next cycle, upon which the fatigue pattern repeats again.

Radiation: Fatigue increases with each radiation treatment, and usually persists/worsens after radiation is completed. 

Cancer-Related Fatigue Treatment

At FemFirst Health, our occupational therapist trained in cancer rehabilitation can help individuals address and overcome their CRF. 

• Targeted Exercise: Research has shown that exercise—both during and after cancer—is the most effective intervention for improving CRF. In fact, when exercise is combined with psychological/mental health interventions, it is significantly more effective than medications alone when it comes to reducing fatigue. Our specialized therapist can develop an individualized exercise program best suited for you and your stage of cancer recovery. 

• Energy Conservation Techniques: Our specialized therapist will also teach you a variety of energy conservation techniques and sleep hygiene principles to further improve your fatigue. 

• Hands-on Therapy: Additionally, our therapist will also use a variety of hands-on techniques to address any of the other cancer-related side effects that may be contributing to your fatigue, such as pain, muscle weakness, and limited mobility.

FAQ

How is cancer-related fatigue diagnosed?

Because CRF is so nuanced and specific to each patient, there is no test to diagnose cancer-related fatigue. Instead, it is diagnosed with a physical therapist assessment and using standardized questionnaires.

Cancer-related fatigue is often under-reported, underdiagnosed, and under-treated due to its complexity. So, if you’re experiencing any fatigue during and after your treatments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our physical therapist trained in cancer rehabilitation.