M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - PIKNIC - Cancer-Related Fatigue
Cancer-Related Fatigue
From PIKNIC [M D. anderson’s Patient and Cargiver Support Group]: Partners in Knowledge, News in Cancer 4/3/01
From PIKNIC: Partners in Knowledge, News in Cancer 4/3/01
What Do We Know?
Cancer-related fatigue is receiving lots of attention, but because it’s an emerging field, there is still much for researchers to learn. “The state of cancer-related fatigue today is much like cancer pain was 20 years ago,” says Tito Mendoza, Ph.D., an assistant professor in M. D. Anderson’s Pain Research Group. “We know it exists and are attempting to measure it, but more studies are needed for a better understanding of who experiences it and why.”

Some tips:
* Sit down to bathe, and instead of wasting energy drying off, wear a terrycloth robe that does the job for you
* When bathing or dressing, minimize leaning down or reaching. “There are many helpful gadgets that can help you with washing yourself, getting dressed or reaching objects,” says Lathem. The Sears Self-Care catalog and the J.C. Penney Special Needs catalog offer these devices for sale.
* Do housework sitting down whenever possible, and delegate heavier tasks to others
* Take frequent rest breaks, and stop working before you become tired
* Use convenience foods that can be prepared in a microwave or other small appliances, which require less effort to use
* Prepare double portions of food and freeze half
* When shopping, make an organized list by grocery aisle to eliminate unnecessary walking
* Let a grocery store worker carry your bags to the car
* Avoid lifting your children whenever possible. When playing with them, choose activities that allow you to sit down
* Use a wheelchair or cane
“Many people won’t leave the house in a chair or with a cane, because they think it makes them look old or feeble,” says Lathem. “My advice is get over it, because wouldn’t you rather save the energy it takes to walk for something you really love to do?”