Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Patient’s Daily Toolkit

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the constant feeling of tiredness and weakness that often occurs during cancer treatment. Cancer-related fatigue disrupts the body’s normal functions and feels different from regular tiredness that improves with rest. Over 80% of people who get chemotherapy or radiation therapy experience it. This fatigue reduces their quality of life by making it hard to work, socialize, or do simple daily tasks.

Cancer fatigue vs. normal fatigue

Everyday fatigue usually depends on how active you’ve been and improves with rest. Cancer fatigue is persistent, characterized by high exhaustion that persists despite reduced exertion and doesn't improve with sleep or rest. Daily activities and interactions are affected, with additional symptoms like memory issues, difficulty concentrating, and muscle weakness. CRF can also be mistaken for depression due to lower energy levels and motivation. To manage cancer fatigue, the difference between CRF and normal fatigue needs to be understood.

Tracking fatigue levels

Identifying the triggers and patterns is necessary. After the treatment, track your fatigue on a scale of 0-10 in a journal. The scale of 0-10 measures fatigue levels, where 0 is no fatigue and 10 is the worst fatigue level. Rate your fatigue throughout the day while also tracking your food intake, activities, mood, and sleep quality. Smartwatches and fitness trackers can monitor sleep quality and patterns with levels of activity. All this data can help to keep track of fatigue.

Boosting energy against fatigue

To manage CRF, getting adequate sleep and slowing down your activities are important. Set a sleep routine, wake up, and go to sleep at the same time every day. The environment of your room should be quiet, cool, and dark. If you want to nap, aim for 20-30 minutes, but avoid it when it's too close to bedtime. Tasks can be broken into smaller steps, with alternating activity time and periods of rest. An energy crash can occur if you push yourself too hard on good days. 

Nutrition to fight fatigue

Food and nutrition impact energy levels significantly when dealing with chronic fatigue. For more energy, try to eat whole foods, such as vegetables, proteins, fruits, and whole grains. Drink plenty of water, as dehydration can worsen fatigue. Eat small meals frequently to avoid energy crashes and nausea caused by chemotherapy. Sugary drinks and refined carbs cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, leading to more fatigue.

Moving forward with strength

Along with self-care, supportive care plays a gentle yet important role in managing cancer fatigue. Light activities like walking, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing help calm the mind and restore energy. Doctors may recommend medicines to treat underlying causes, while sharing your feelings with loved ones can bring emotional comfort and strength.

CRF can be challenging, but with a daily toolkit of healthy habits and support, you can manage your symptoms and protect your health. Always share any new or changing symptoms with your healthcare team, both during and after treatment.