Home Health Centers Cancer Cancer Treatment Side Effects

Cancer

Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

Fatigue and Cancer

Fatigue is a feeling of being tired, weak, or exhausted. It's the most common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment. But fatigue does not mean the cancer is getting worse or that the cancer treatment isn't working. 

Some people with cancer have described fatigue as being tired to the bones or hitting a wall. Others say it's the most distressing side effect of cancer treatment. Cancer-related fatigue is different for everyone. It's important that the person who is experiencing it describes how they feel. Fatigue may make a person unable to work, do physical activity, be involved with family, socialize with friends, or carry out daily activities. Sometimes it even causes people to miss cancer treatments. 

If the person with cancer is easily distracted and unable to concentrate on mental work or activity, then they may have attentional fatigue. This is also called chemo brain. It's a common side effect of cancer treatment.

Depending on its cause, cancer-related fatigue can come and go or stay for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to be the worst a few days after treatment and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation usually starts slowly a few weeks after treatment starts. It often gets worse as treatment continues. It improves over time after treatment ends.

Causes of fatigue

We currently understand some of the causes of fatigue, but not all of them. Fatigue may be related to physical changes caused by cancer or its treatment. Cancer-related fatigue tends to be more severe than the fatigue people without cancer people sometimes have. This fatigue lasts longer and does not get better with sleep.

Low hemoglobin levels (anemia) is a common treatment side effect that's also related to fatigue. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the blood. So if it is low, the body cells do not get as much oxygen as they need. People who are not well-nourished, don't drink enough fluid and are dehydrated, or are not able to move around much tend to have more fatigue. Uncontrolled pain, depression, and problems sleeping can also cause fatigue. Finally, the way a person handles stress, thinks, or behaves can influence fatigue. 

Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Online Medical Reviewer: Sabrina Felson MD
Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2023
© 2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
Powered by StayWell
Copyright © The StayWell Company, LLC. except where otherwise noted.
About StayWell | Disclaimer | Terms of Use

Our web site is designed to provide general information to educate users about programs and services, which may be available through our hospitals. The web site is not intended to provide medical advice nor should the information be used to attempt to determine the presence, absence or severity of any illness or medical condition which may be perceived or experienced by the user of this site. If you have or suspect you may have an illness or condition which you believe requires medical attention, we recommend you call your primary care physician. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency please call "911" (or your local medical emergency number) or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The provision of information to users of this web site is not intended as an inducement or to otherwise influence a person's decision to order or receive any item or service from a particular provider, practitioner or supplier that is reimbursable under Medicare, a state healthcare program (e.g., AHCCS) or any other healthcare plan.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at each facility, but are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of Tenet Florida Coastal Division; and, as a result, Tenet Florida Coastal Division is not responsible for the actions of any of these physicians in their medical practices.