Exercise for reducing cancer-related fatigue

It is common for people who have received cancer treatment to experience cancer-related fatigue. In fact, 80% of chemotherapy or radiotherapy patients will experience some degree of persistent fatigue. Compounded by feelings of depression, stress and decreased activity; feelings of fatigue can intensify. 

How is ‘regular’ fatigue different from cancer-related fatigue?

Cancer-related fatigue is not relieved by rest or sleep. Your tiredness disrupts your work, social life, or daily routine. You become confused or feel frustrated by feelings of tiredness, weakness, and a lack of energy. Fatigue is the most common and often the most distressing side effect of cancer treatment and a result of the cancer itself. 

Treatment for cancer-related fatigue

At Lifemark, cancer rehabilitation can help you overcome fatigue through techniques such as: exercise, education, and energy conservation strategies. Although it seems contradictory, current research suggests that exercise is one of the best ways to alleviate symptoms of cancer-related fatigue.

Lifemark physiotherapists can help you by developing an individualized care plan; a regular routine of moderate exercise with a gradual increase in effort level, while safely adapting to your limitations.   

Benefits of physical activity 

• Reduces pain
• Can help improve lymphedema 
• Improves quality of life
• Minimizes psychological stress
• Improves strength, endurance and flexibility 
• In some cancers, physical activity shows an improvement in survival outcomes

Fear is often a barrier with cancer rehabilitation, but exercise can be safe and effective both during and after cancer treatments. Studies have shown that exercise lowers reported fatigue levels by 40-50%. Talk to your doctor to discuss if cancer rehab would benefit you. 

For more information on cancer rehab, read my previous article, Chemo brain - how cancer rehab can help. 

Sources:
Cancer-related fatigue clinical practice guidelines in oncology. / Mock, Victoria; Abernethy, Amy Pickar; Atkinson, Ashley; Barsevick, Andrea M.; Berger, Ann M.; Cella, David; Cimprich, Bernadine; Cleeland, Charles; Eisenberger, Mario A.; Escalante, Carmen P.; Hinds, Pamela; Jacobsen, Paul B.; Kaldor, Phyllis; O'Connor, Tracey; Otis-Green, Shirley A.; Piper, Barbara F.; Pirl, William F.; Rugo, Hope S.; Sabbatini, Paul; Stewart, F. Marc; Wagner, Lynne L

Cancer-Related Fatigue: The Scale of the Problem. / Maarten Hofmana, Julie L. Ryana,b, Colmar D. Figueroa-Moseleya,c, Pascal Jean-Pierrea,d and Gary R. Morrowa,e http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/12/suppl_1/4.full