Aug. 23, 2024—Exhausted. Worn out. Slow.
If that's how you feel on your cancer journey, you're not alone. Fatigue can affect people before and after cancer treatment. It can affect your daily life and make your treatments harder to manage. But there are strategies that can help.
Cancer fatigue is common
In some cases, fatigue can be a symptom of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). It's also a frequent side effect of cancer treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Other conditions that often affect people with cancer—such as anemia, pain, sleep troubles, depression and stress—also can cause or worsen fatigue.
Some people have fatigue only during cancer treatment. For others, the fatigue lasts for months or years.
Lifestyle strategies can help
If you're experiencing fatigue, let your doctor and care team know. They may be able to address the underlying causes of your fatigue, such as anemia. And they can suggest ways to manage your condition.
That might include these coping strategies from the NCI and the American Cancer Society:
Plan your day wisely. Whenever possible, plan to do your most important activities when you typically feel the most energy.
When you're tired, take short naps. Just 30 minutes can help you feel a lot better. But don't overdo it. Too much rest can make it harder to get the seven to eight hours of shut-eye you need at night.
Ask for help. Family members and friends can pitch in with cleaning, shopping, running errands or other tasks. Use these willing helpers!
Exercise. It may seem counterintuitive, but exercise is a great way to ease fatigue and improve your mood. Your cancer care team or a physical therapist can help you set a goal that's right for you. Choose a time of day that makes the most of your energy levels—but avoid working out in the two hours before you go to bed.
Make a mind-body move. Yoga, qigong and mindfulness exercises can help people with cancer lower stress and reduce fatigue.
See a nutrition expert. Cancer treatment can make it harder to get the nutrients you need to have energy. Check out our tips for eating well during cancer treatment, and talk to a dietitian or other member of your cancer care team. They can recommend good choices for you, possibly including nutritional supplements. Getting this kind of help is especially important if you have taste issues, appetite loss, or nausea and vomiting.
Talk to someone. A counselor can offer more advice, online or in person. And support group participants often share useful coping tips with each other.
Dealing with more than fatigue? Discover more advice for coping with the physical effects of cancer.
Sources
- American Cancer Society. "Managing Fatigue or Weakness." https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/fatigue/managing-cancer-related-fatigue.html.
- National Cancer Institute. "Fatigue and Cancer Treatment." https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/fatigue.