Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Does Breast Cancer Cause Fatigue Before Treatment

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How Do I Cope With Fatigue

Addressing breast cancer fatigue | Woman’s Doctor

Other than the tips below, a way that you can cope with fatigue, especially when you cant increase energy levels right away, is to participate in a hobby or something you love.

For example, during certain treatments, you can read a good book, listen to your favorite podcast or if youre able knit, sew, draw, or any other hobby you love.

How Can I Manage My Fatigue

Even though your normal response to fatigue will be to rest, its important that you keep moving as much as possible. Research shows that spending long periods in bed or lying down can actually make fatigue worse.

Tips to help manage fatigue:

  • Incorporate basic exercise, such as walking, into your day. Exercise, especially in the morning, has been shown to greatly assist in reducing fatigue.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
  • Organise practical help at home, such as help with childcare, housework or making meals.
  • Give your body time to recover after treatment. Try to work up to your usual level of daily activity rather than stepping straight back into old routines.
  • Take time to rest throughout the day between activities, but limiting the length of naps so that you are still able to sleep at night. If you are facing sleepless nights during your breast cancer treatment, BCNA’s Sleepless nights: breast cancer and sleep fact sheet provides more tips and strategies that may be helpful.
  • Discuss how you feel with a support group or counsellor. You can find a support group near you on the BCNA website or join BCNAs online network to connect with others affected by breast cancer.

You can also discuss your fatigue with your medical treatment team. They may be able to suggest approaches to help reduce or manage fatigue.

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Your Treatments And Side Effects

Here are some ways that breast cancer treatment can trigger insomnia and fatigue:

  • Radiation therapy can cause fatigue as treatment goes on, because it destroys some healthy cells along with cancer cells. Painful skin side effects, such as blistering, can interfere with sleep.
  • Chemotherapy medicines make it harder for the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the body to cells and tissues. Having fewer red blood cells than normal is known as anemia. If cells arent getting enough oxygen, you may feel very tired.
  • Hormonal therapies interfere with estrogen production, causing menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, and changes in mood, sleep, and energy.
  • Specific side effects common to treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and targeted therapy can also contribute to insomnia and fatigue:
  • Long periods of inactivity or bed rest while recovering from surgery or chemotherapy treatments can make you feel tired and weak.
  • Nausea and vomiting and diarrhea cause a loss of fluids and electrolytes that help maintain energy.
  • Constipation, mouth sores, or loss of appetite can make it hard to eat, which means you may not be getting enough nutrients.
  • Infection or weight changes can affect your energy level.
  • Pain caused by treatment or by cancer itself can interfere with sleep. Ongoing pain can lead to fatigue. Talk with your care team about how to control pain while maintaining your energy level.
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    Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation

    PDQ is a registered trademark. The content of PDQ documents can be used freely as text. It cannot be identified as an NCI PDQ cancer information summary unless the whole summary is shown and it is updated regularly. However, a user would be allowed to write a sentence such as NCIs PDQ cancer information summary about breast cancer prevention states the risks in the following way: .

    The best way to cite this PDQ summary is:

    PDQ® Supportive and Palliative Care Editorial Board. PDQ Fatigue. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. Updated < MM/DD/YYYY> . Available at: . Accessed < MM/DD/YYYY> .

    Images in this summary are used with permission of the author, artist, and/or publisher for use in the PDQ summaries only. If you want to use an image from a PDQ summary and you are not using the whole summary, you must get permission from the owner. It cannot be given by the National Cancer Institute. Information about using the images in this summary, along with many other images related to cancer can be found in Visuals Online. Visuals Online is a collection of more than 3,000 scientific images.

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    Feelings That Can Come Up During Radiation Therapy

    Fatigue is common with radiation therapy and may affect your mood. As treatments continue, fatigue can increase. This fatigue is due to treatment itself, but it can also be related to having to go to radiation therapy appointments every day for several weeks. If you must travel far for treatment, you might feel more tired and drained than you normally would. Just the stress of daily travel and treatment can be exhausting.

    Treatment-related fatigue feels very different from regular tiredness. It can come on quickly and exhaust you. Even after a good nights sleep, you may not feel rested.

    Radiation therapy may cause changes in the shape, texture, and size of your breast or in the skin, and this can be distressing. Know that your and nurses can offer you treatments to help soothe skin irritation and prevent certain side effects. Treating them early may help you feel better physically and, in turn, emotionally.

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    What Does It Feel Like To Be Tired After Cancer

    Everyone knows what it feels like to be tired sometimes but if you have cancer-related fatigue you may feel like you have very little energy. You may find it difficult to do simple everyday tasks and it may stop you from doing things you want to do. Everyones experience of cancer-related fatigue is different.

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    How Long Does Cancer Fatigue Last

    Unfortunately, if you have cancer fatigue, there is no way to know how long it might last or how severe it might be. Fatigue from breast cancer and breast cancer treatment can last for weeks, months, or years and may continue after you finish treatment.

    Its important to know that the effects of cancer fatigue can change from day to day. If youre receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy in cycles, the fatigue is often worse at the beginning of the cycle and then eases until the next cycle starts. If youre receiving radiation therapy, fatigue usually gets worse as treatment goes on and then eases a few months after you finish treatment.

    Are You Having Breast Cancer Pain

    Mayo Clinic Explains Breast Cancer

    How often does breast cancer cause breast pain? If you have breast pain, what are the chances its cancer? What types of breast cancers are more likely to be painful? Since breast pain affects roughly half of all women at some point in our lives, these are important questions to be asking.

    Learn about about how often breast cancer is painful , and whether pain may increase your risk of breast cancer in the future.

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    What About Tiredness That Becomes A Severe Burden

    A final aspect of the cancer fatigue conversation comes up when those receiving treatment begin to experience dramatic changes in the severity and frequency of fatigue. When fatigue becomes persistent and interferes with your ability to perform basic daily function, tell your doctor. More importantly, if fatigue reaches an extreme point and causes confusion, dizziness, loss of balance, severe shortness of breath or leaves you bedridden for more than 24 hours, contact your care team immediately. While it is normal to sleep more than typical after a radiotherapy session, these symptoms greatly increase your risk of injury and could lead to the worsening of your overall health.

    Fatigue Affects Breast Cancer Patients Even Before First Chemotherapy Treatment According To Study

    Date:
    University Of Nebraska
    Summary:
    A new study has found that even before women with breast cancer undergo chemotherapy, they experience fatigue and disruptions in sleep and activity levels.

    A University of Nebraska Medical Center study has found that even before women with breast cancer undergo chemotherapy, they experience fatigue and disruptions in sleep and activity levels. Researchers say their findings suggest health professionals should address fatigue following breast cancer surgery.

    Researchers say controlling fatigue after surgery before starting chemotherapy is important because fatigue typically increases during chemotherapy. Between 70 to 95 percent of breast cancer patients experience fatigue while undergoing chemotherapy.

    The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. Having studied 130 women with early stage breast cancer , it the largest study to document the prevalence of fatigue associated with altered sleep and activity patterns before chemotherapy treatment. The data confirms what was reported in a previous smaller study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

    Researchers measured sleep and activity patterns during the 48 hours prior to the first chemotherapy treatment using wristwatch-sized activity monitors called actigraphs.

    Dr. Berger said the findings provide an important benchmark to begin looking for interventions to reduce cancer-related fatigue.

    Story Source:

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    Ways To Manage Fatigue

    Tell your health care team if you feel extremely tired and are not able to do your normal activities or are very tired even after resting or sleeping. Keeping track of your levels of energy throughout the day will help your doctor to assess your fatigue. Write down how fatigue affects your daily activities and what makes the fatigue better or worse.

    You may be advised to take these and other steps to feel better:

    NCI’s Fatigue PDQ® summary has more information on how fatigue is assessed and treated. View the patient or health professional version.

    When To See Your Healthcare Provider

    Managing Skin Side Effects of Radiation Therapy

    Many people underestimate fatigue and fail to discuss it with their practitioner. Severe fatigue that does not resolve with the tips above should be reported to your healthcare provider.

    There can be underlying medical reasons for fatigue, such as anemia, that may need to be addressed. Your healthcare provider may be able to determine what is contributing to your fatigue and offer solutions.

    • Memory problems, confusion, or brain fog
    • Cant get out of bed

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    What Causes Fatigue And Weakness

    In people with cancer, weakness might be caused by having and recovering from surgery, low blood counts or low electrolyte levels, infection, or changes in hormone levels.

    However, the causes of cancer-related fatigue are often harder to determine because there are often many factors involved. It might be from the cancer itself and/or a side effect of the cancer treatment. How cancer and treatment might cause fatigue is not well understood, but some possible reasons are:

    • Cancer and cancer treatment can change normal protein and hormone levels that are linked to inflammatory processes which can cause or worsen fatigue.
    • Treatments kill normal cells and cancer cells, which leads to a build-up of cell waste. Your body uses extra energy to clean up and repair damaged tissue.
    • Cancer forms toxic substances in the body that change the way normal cells work.

    Besides direct effects of cancer and its treatment, people with cancer often also experience other things that can add together to increase fatigue. These are things like surgery, stress and worry, changes in activity level, and changes in blood counts, electrolytes, and hormone levels.

    How To Find Help For Cancer Fatigue

    It can be hard to pinpoint the cause of cancer-related fatigue, especially if a combination of factors is working together to cause it. There may not be one simple answer. Keep looking for help, even if initial tests for obvious sources of fatigue are negative.

    Keep in mind that conventional oncologists arent usually trained on all the research thats been done on how to manage side effects and help improve quality of life. Their focus is on drugs used to treat cancer. But dont assume your oncologist is the only one capable of managing your side effects, nor the only one who should be following your progress.

    Physicians who work in integrative medicine, functional medicine and naturopathy may be more experienced with how to manage those symptoms using relatively non-toxic approaches. These providers may be more likely to know about and use strategies that show the potential to improve patients quality of life without causing harmful side effects. However, be cautious with any provider who claims their treatments will cure cancer in lieu of conventional therapy.

    If youre not getting the help youre looking for, consider seeking a second opinion at an oncology center like CTCA. Cancer centers are more likely to offer resources to explore the multifactorial processes that could be affecting fatigue.

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    Are You Wearing The Correct Bra Size

    Did you know that 4 out of 5 women are wearing the wrong bra size? For something we wear all day long, the right fit can make all the difference in how our clothes look, how we feel that day, and our ability to live our lives pain-free!

    We know that while the way your bra fits should not affect your breast cancer risk, its a very important part of your overall breast health.

    Thats why weve teamed up with the bra fit experts at Dillards to bring you this exclusive Bra Fit Guide!

    This guide was so helpful for me! I never thought I would need a new bra size in my early twenties but this guide taught me that changes can happen at any age. -Katie

    Your free guide will include answers to the most frequent fit questions like:

    • Why do I always have to adjust my bra?
    • How do I know if my current bra fits?
    • Is it normal that my bra leaves red marks on my shoulders?
    • What factors affect bra size?
    • How do I measure cup size and band size?
    • How can I tell if my bra is too small or big?
    • How can I tell what type of bra is right for me?
    • How do I get my straps to stop slipping off my shoulders?
    • How do I prevent my bra cups from gapping at the top?

    Get answers to these questions and more in this free Bra Fit Guide.

    How You Feel Emotionally

    Having chemotherapy for breast cancer – patient guide

    Being diagnosed with cancer can be hard to accept. Youre likely to go through a range of emotions before, during and after your treatment. This is very normal.

    You might have a lot of worries, some of these might include:

    • will my treatment work?
    • will I be able to deal with side effects?
    • how will my family and friends cope?
    • will I have enough support?
    • will I be able to keep working?
    • how will I get to the hospital for my treatment?
    • will the treatment be painful?
    • what if I lose my hair?

    All these worries can make you feel anxious or down. Anxiety and depression are common in people with cancer. Theyre often very draining emotions.

    Fatigue can be worse if you are taking a combination of these drugs.

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    Stress Mental And Emotional Changes

    Having cancer can cause stress, sleeping problems, moodiness, and depression. Stress by itself can cause emotional, mental, and physical fatigue.

    Both cancer itself and stress can cause dysregulation of cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol put your body in a high-alert state. This burns a lot of energy and can lead to mental and emotional changes and sleeping problems which all lead to fatigue.

    Can Leukemia Cause Fatigue

    With leukemia and lymphoma, cancer cells in the bone marrow can interfere with the normal production of blood cells. This can lead to anemia, and anemia can then lead to fatigue. Colon cancer and stomach cancer can cause anemia through blood loss in the bowels, likewise leading to fatigue. The metabolic processes of tumors can also contribute

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    Do I Need Genetic Counseling And Testing

    Your doctor may recommend that you see a genetic counselor. Thats someone who talks to you about any history of cancer in your family to find out if you have a higher risk for getting breast cancer. For example, people of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage have a higher risk of inherited genetic changes that may cause breast cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer. The counselor may recommend that you get a genetic test.

    If you have a higher risk of getting breast cancer, your doctor may talk about ways to manage your risk. You may also have a higher risk of getting other cancers such as ovarian cancer, and your family may have a higher risk. Thats something you would talk with the genetic counselor about.

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