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Cancer Treatment & Tiredness

Cancer--a disease with a wide spectrum of diagnoses that involve growth of abnormal cells--is usually treated with radiation, surgery and/or chemotherapy. One common side effect of treatment is fatigue, or tiredness. According to the National Cancer Institute, up to 96 percent of cancer patients report fatigue, and the numbers are higher among those who are currently undergoing treatment.

  1. What Causes Tiredness?

    • Many treatments for cancer result in fatigue. Red blood cells (RBCs), which carry oxygen to cells, are destroyed by chemotherapy. Fewer RBCs to carry oxygen (anemia) means that the patient tires easily. Radiation and surgery also contribute to low energy levels. People receiving cancer treatment often have pain, nausea or vomiting, and the medications used to treat those problems also cause fatigue.

    When Does Tiredness Occur?

    • Chemotherapy is usually done in cycles in which a patient receives treatment for several days, then is off for a predetermined length of time and comes back at a later date for more treatment. Fatigue begins after initiation of chemotherapy and peaks when the cycle ends. In external radiation, a person receives high energy X-rays from a machine. Treatment is usually done every day for several days, and fatigue intensifies as treatment continues.

    Coping Mechanisms

    • A person undergoing cancer treatment may not have energy to do everything that he wants to do, and he may need to ask other people for help. Frequent rest periods and afternoon naps may be beneficial. He should eat healthy meals, drink plenty of water and exercise in moderation. Joining a support group may also be to his advantage.

    When to Contact Your Health Care Provider

    • Fatigue during and immediately after cancer treatment is normal. However, if a patient suddenly becomes so tired that he cannot get out of bed during a 24-hour period, he should contact a health care provider immediately. Dizziness, inability to concentrate, sadness and excessive sleep should be reported, since each could be a sign of something more serious.

    Chronic Tiredness

    • The American Cancer Association states that fatigue may linger three to 12 months after the end of treatment. In some patients--such as bone marrow transplant recipients--low energy levels may persist for years, even though the cancer was cured long ago. Extreme tiredness affects quality of life. Someone who is chronically fatigued may not be able to work or take care of himself. It is important that he speak to a health care provider about his concerns. When assessing chronic fatigue, physical ailments should first be ruled out.

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