Cancer-related fatigue and associated disability in post-treatment cancer survivors

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Jones ◽  
Karin Olson ◽  
Pamela Catton ◽  
Charles N. Catton ◽  
Neil E. Fleshner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

Prevalence of cancer-related fatigue in a population-based sample of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer survivors.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9131-9131
Author(s):  
Jennifer M Jones ◽  
Doris Howell ◽  
Karin Lou Olson ◽  
Haiyan Jiang ◽  
Charles N Catton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Trend Test ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

9131 Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is the most prevalent and distressing cancer-related symptom and has a greater negative impact on patients' daily activities and quality of life than other cancer-related symptoms, including pain and depression. However, the prevalence and severity of persistent CRF and related disability in the post-treatment survivorship period has seldom been examined in populations other than breast cancer. The primary objective of the study was to describe the prevalence of significant CRF and associated levels of disability in a mixed cancer population sample at 3 time points in the post-treatment survivorship trajectory. Methods: Based on cancer registry data, a self-administered mail based questionnaire using Dillman's Tailored Design Method was sent to 3 cohorts of disease-free cancer survivors (6-18 months; 2-3 years; and 5-6 years post-treatment) previously treated for non-metastatic breast, prostate or colorectal cancer. Fatigue was measured using the FACT-F and disability was measured with the WHO-Disability Assessment Schedule. Clinical information was extracted from chart review. Frequencies of significant fatigue by disease sites and time points were studied and compared using chi-square test. Disability between those with and without CRF was also compared using Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results: 1294 questionnaire packages were completed (63% response rate). The FACT-F score was 39.1+10.9; 29% (95% CI: [27%, 32%]) of the sample reported significant fatigue (FACT-F≤34) and this was associated with much higher levels of disability (p<0.0001). Breast (40% [35%, 44%]) and colorectal (33% [27%, 38%]) survivors had significantly higher rates of fatigue (≤34) compared to the prostate group (17% [14%, 21%]) (p<0.0001). Fatigue levels remained relatively stable across the 3 time points. Conclusions: CRF was a significant and debilitating symptom for a substantial minority of the respondents across all 3 time points. Effective CRF management strategies are needed and have the potential to significantly reduce morbidity associated with cancer and its treatments and to improve quality of life for the growing population of cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Screening, Assessment, and Management of Fatigue in Adult Survivors of Cancer: An American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Adaptation

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (17) ◽  
pp. 1840-1850 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julienne E. Bower ◽  
Kate Bak ◽  
Ann Berger ◽  
William Breitbart ◽  
Carmelita P. Escalante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Clinical Practice Guideline ◽  
Practice Guideline ◽  
Primary Treatment ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Treatment Approaches ◽  
Nccn Guidelines ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
Screening Assessment

Purpose This guideline presents screening, assessment, and treatment approaches for the management of adult cancer survivors who are experiencing symptoms of fatigue after completion of primary treatment. Methods A systematic search of clinical practice guideline databases, guideline developer Web sites, and published health literature identified the pan-Canadian guideline on screening, assessment, and care of cancer-related fatigue in adults with cancer, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Cancer-Related Fatigue and the NCCN Guidelines for Survivorship. These three guidelines were appraised and selected for adaptation. Results It is recommended that all patients with cancer be evaluated for the presence of fatigue after completion of primary treatment and be offered specific information and strategies for fatigue management. For those who report moderate to severe fatigue, comprehensive assessment should be conducted, and medical and treatable contributing factors should be addressed. In terms of treatment strategies, evidence indicates that physical activity interventions, psychosocial interventions, and mind-body interventions may reduce cancer-related fatigue in post-treatment patients. There is limited evidence for use of psychostimulants in the management of fatigue in patients who are disease free after active treatment. Conclusion Fatigue is prevalent in cancer survivors and often causes significant disruption in functioning and quality of life. Regular screening, assessment, and education and appropriate treatment of fatigue are important in managing this distressing symptom. Given the multiple factors contributing to post-treatment fatigue, interventions should be tailored to each patient's specific needs. In particular, a number of nonpharmacologic treatment approaches have demonstrated efficacy in cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Cancer-Related Fatigue in Post-Treatment Cancer Survivors: Theory-Based Development of a Web-Based Intervention

JMIR Cancer ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e8
Author(s):  
Teresa Corbett ◽  
Jane C Walsh ◽  
AnnMarie Groarke ◽  
Rona Moss-Morris ◽  
Eimear Morrissey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

scholarly journals Cooking for Vitality: Pilot Study of an Innovative Culinary Nutrition Intervention for Cancer-Related Fatigue in Cancer Survivors

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2760
Author(s):  
Cheryl Pritlove ◽  
Geremy Capone ◽  
Helena Kita ◽  
Stephanie Gladman ◽  
Manjula Maganti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Management Skills ◽  
Cooking Skills ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue ◽  
Poor Nutritional Status

(1) Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most prevalent and distressing side effects experienced by patients with cancer during and after treatment, and this negatively impacts all aspects of quality of life. An increasing body of evidence supports the role of poor nutritional status in the etiology of CRF and of specific diets in mitigating CRF. We designed a group-based two session culinary nutrition intervention for CRF, Cooking for Vitality (C4V), aimed at increasing understanding of how food choices can impact energy levels and establishing basic food preparation and cooking skills as well as the application of culinary techniques that minimize the effort/energy required to prepare meals. The purpose of this pilot mixed-method study was to evaluate: Feasibility of the experimental methods and intervention; acceptability and perceived helpfulness of intervention; and to obtain a preliminary estimate of the effectiveness of the intervention on fatigue (primary outcome), energy, overall disability, and confidence to manage fatigue (secondary outcomes). (2) Methods: Prospective, single arm, embedded mixed-methods feasibility study of cancer survivors with cancer-related fatigue was conducted. Participants completed measures at baseline (T0), immediately following the intervention (T1), and three months after the last session (T2). Qualitative interviews were conducted at T2. (3) Results: Recruitment (70%) and retention (72%) rates along with qualitative findings support the feasibility of the C4V intervention for cancer survivors living with CRF (program length and frequency, ease of implementation, and program flexibility). Acceptability was also high and participants provided useful feedback for program improvements. Fatigue (FACT-F) scores significantly improved from T0–T1 and T0–T2 (p < 0.001). There was also a significant decrease in disability scores (WHO-DAS 2.0) from T0–T2 (p = 0.006) and an increase in POMS-Vigor (Profile of Mood States) from T0–T1 (p = 0.018) and T0–T2 (p = 0.013). Confidence in managing fatigue improved significantly from T0–T1 and T0–T2 (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The results suggest that the C4V program was acceptable and helpful to patients and may be effective in improving fatigue levels and self-management skills. A randomized controlled trial is required to confirm these findings.

scholarly journals The effect of exercise on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol Volume 14 ◽  
pp. 479-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Kessels ◽  
Olga Husson ◽  
Christina M Van der Feltz-Cornelis
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cancer Related Fatigue

scholarly journals Effect of Tai Chi Chuan practice on immune system and pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 013-019
Author(s):  
Mary NB Cheung ◽  
Wings Tjing Yung Loo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) to improve immune system and decrease pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Methods: 130 post-treatment breast cancer survivors were recruited and randomized 1:1 into TCC group and wait-list (control) group. The TCC group practiced for a 60-minutes session once per week, for a total of 52 weeks. 115 forms of Yang-style TCC were taught by a Tai Chi master. Blood samples were taken from each subject and complete blood count was performed. The expressions of NKG2D protein, P-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in plasma were measured. Lymphocyte activity was measured by cell proliferation reagent and ATP assay. Images of lymphocyte colony formation were taken with an inverted microscope. Results: At 52 weeks, TCC group demonstrated a significantly higher WBC (p=0.001) , a significantly higher NKG2D value (p=0.001) and a significantly lower VEGF value (p=0.005) when compared to the wait-list group. However, there was a small, non-significant change for P-selectin values between the breast cancer survivor groups. After 72h incubation, TCC group had a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation (p=0.001) and greater area of lymphocyte clusters or colonies (p=0.001). Conclusion: The practice of TCC could stimulate tumor immunosurveillance via NKG2D and activate the immune response. VEGF, a marker playing an important role in breast cancer and its metastases, was also reduced in those who practiced TCC. As an alternative for conventional exercise, post-treatment breast cancer survivors may select TCC in their rehabilitation program.

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