Friday, March 22, 2024

Fatigue And Radiation For Breast Cancer

Must Read

Why You’re So Tired After Radiation Therapy

Addressing breast cancer fatigue | Woman’s Doctor

Brandi Jones MSN-Ed, RN-BC is a board-certified registered nurse who owns Brandi Jones LLC, where she writes health and wellness blogs, articles, and education. She lives with her husband and springer spaniel and enjoys camping and tapping into her creativity in her downtime.

When you undergo radiation therapy to treat cancer, your healthcare provider may provide you with a list of possible side effects of treatment. Things like nausea, diarrhea, and hair loss usually catch a person’s attention first because they seem to be the worst.

However, fatigue is one of the most common side effects. A lack of energy and excessive tiredness is common for cancer patients no matter their therapy, but those undergoing radiation therapy experience fatigue more frequently. It also worsens as treatment continues.

This article reviews symptoms of fatigue, why radiation causes it, tips to manage and cope with fatigue, and when to call your healthcare provider

Walking Through Cancer Fatigue During Radiation Treatment

When I was undergoing radiation treatment for my breast cancer, I experienced major fatigue as a side effect. I was informed that I might expect fatigue, but I was surprised by how quickly it hit me. I felt extreme physical fatigue after only a few treatments. I was also still dealing with the emotional and mental fatigue of the cancer diagnosis. To say that I was tired would be an understatement.

I wrote about the three facets of cancer fatigue in another post. Physical, mental, and emotional fatigue are intertwined during the cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery phases. In this post, Ill share seven ways that I walked through the physical aspects of cancer fatigue during my radiation treatment.

How Are Side Effects Of Radiation Therapy Diagnosed And Treated

  • Your healthcare provider will ask you about your symptoms and decide if they are side effects of radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may prevent the bone marrow from making red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This may cause low blood counts. Low blood counts are diagnosed with a blood test.
  • Treatment depends on what area of the body is affected. You may be given medicine to treat nausea, vomiting, indigestion, or diarrhea. You may also be given medicine to treat problems in the mouth, or pain in the area that receives radiation. Lotions, ointments, or creams may be given to treat skin problems caused by radiation therapy.

Also Check: Vitamins To Help Fight Fatigue

How Long Do Side Effects Last

Remember that the type of radiation side effects you might have depends on the prescribed dose and schedule. Most side effects go away within a few months of ending treatment. Some side effects may continue after treatment ends because it takes time for the healthy cells to recover from radiation.

Side effects might limit your ability to do some things. What you can do will depend on how you feel. Some patients are able to go to work or enjoy leisure activities while they get radiation therapy. Others find they need more rest than usual and cant do as much. If you have side effects that are bothersome and affecting your daily activities or health, the doctor may stop your treatments for a while, change the schedule, or change the type of treatment youre getting. Tell your cancer care team about any side affects you notice so they can help you with them.

You May Like: Is Fatigue A Symptom Of Psoriasis

Treatment Of Fatigue In Breast Cancer Patients And Survivors

Radiation therapy may cause unpleasant side effects, such as overall ...

Clinical trials of treatment regimens for the alleviation and management of cancer-related fatigue have been limited compared with those focused on the alleviation of pain and suffering.3 Treatment of cancer-related fatigue can be complex because of the links observed between fatigue and various physical and psychological variables. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and management of cancer-related fatigue is likely to be necessary for many cancer patients and survivors80 and treatments must be individualized based on underlying pathology.81

To recap, in two large studies four and five years post-diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer, survivors fatigue was most strongly linked with depressive symptoms, pain and sleep disturbance20 and with worse physical health, less physical activity, and depressive symptoms.59 Depressed mood, cardiovascular problems, and cancer treatment modality were also linked with ongoing fatigue.20 Thus, several possible underlying factors have been implicated in cancer fatigue, many of which respond well to conventional treatments.

Don’t Miss: What Causes Stiff Joints And Fatigue

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.

Impact Of Rehabilitation On Breast Cancer Related Fatigue: A Pilot Study

  • 1Physical and Rehabilitative Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
  • 2Rehabilitation Unit, Mons. L. Novarese Hospital, Vercelli, Italy
  • 3Division of Pathology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
  • 4Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
  • 5Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli’, Napoli, Italy
  • 6Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
  • 7New Drugs and Early Drug Development for Innovative Therapies Division, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
  • 8Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, University Hospital Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
  • 9Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

Also Check: Can Fatigue Cause Blurry Vision

If Youre Getting Radiation Therapy To The Abdomen

If you are getting radiation to your stomach or some part of the abdomen , you may have side effects such as:

Eating or avoiding certain foods can help with some of these problems, so diet planning is an important part of radiation treatment of the stomach or abdomen. Ask your cancer care team about what you can expect, and what medicines you should take to help relieve these problems. Check with your cancer care team about any home remedies or over-the-counter drugs youre thinking about using.

These problems should get better when treatment is over.

Managing nausea

Some people feel queasy for a few hours right after radiation therapy. If you have this problem, try not eating for a couple of hours before and after your treatment. You may handle the treatment better on an empty stomach. If the problem doesnt go away, ask your cancer care team about medicines to help prevent and treat nausea. Be sure to take the medicine exactly as you are told to do.

If you notice nausea before your treatment, try eating a bland snack, like toast or crackers, and try to relax as much as possible. See Nausea and Vomiting to get tips to help an upset stomach and learn more about how to manage these side effects.

Managing diarrhea

Many people have diarrhea at some point after starting radiation therapy to the abdomen. Your cancer care team may prescribe medicines or give you special instructions to help with the problem. Diet changes may also be recommended, such as:

Cancer Fatigue Is Different From Fatigue That Healthy People Feel

Why Do I Feel So Tired After Radiation

When a healthy person is tired from day-to-day activities, their fatigue can be relieved with sleep and rest. Cancer fatigue is different. People with cancer get tired after less activity than people who do not have cancer. Also, cancer fatigue is not completely relieved by sleep and rest, interferes with daily activities, and may last for a long time. Fatigue usually decreases after cancer treatment ends, but some people may still feel fatigue for months or years.

Don’t Miss: Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatable

It Is Not Clear How Cancer Treatments Cause Fatigue

It is unclear how cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy cause fatigue.

When cancer treatment begins, many patients are already tired from medical tests, surgery, and the emotional stress of coping with the cancer diagnosis. Fatigue may get worse during treatment.

Different cancer treatments have different effects on a patients energy level. The type and schedule of treatments can affect the amount of fatigue caused by cancer treatment. Some patients have more fatigue after cancer treatments than others do.

Fatigue related to surgery

Fatigue is often a side effect of surgery, but patients usually feel better with time. However, fatigue related to surgery can be worse when the surgery is combined with other cancer treatments.

Fatigue caused by chemotherapy

Patients treated with chemotherapy usually feel the most fatigue in the days right after each treatment. Then the fatigue decreases until the next treatment. Some studies have shown that patients have the most severe fatigue about mid-way through all the cycles of chemotherapy. Fatigue decreases after chemotherapy is finished, but patients may not feel back to normal until a month or more after the last treatment.

Fatigue during chemotherapy may be increased by the following:

  • Lack of sleep caused by some anticancer drugs.

Fatigue caused by radiation therapy

Fatigue caused by hormone therapy

Fatigue caused by immunotherapy

Underlying Mechanisms Of Fatigue

The etiology of fatigue, whether experienced during initial treatment or during survivorship, is far from being definitively characterized. The underlying mechanisms likely vary from patient to patient and the candidate causes surely co-vary considerably. This variability adds to the complexity of understanding this rather vague, but common and potentially disabling complaint. In addition to the usual suspects, such as dysphoric mood, disrupted sleep, anemia, recent studies have suggested some possible novel mechanisms . Thus, fatigue is multiply determined, with a likely mixture of both biological and psychological underpinnings.3 For example, evidence implicates anemia, ATP, links between the HPA axis, cytokines and circadian rhythms, and vagal afferents.8,9,11,4952

Because most previous studies of cancer fatigue involved cross-sectional research designs, the direction of causality between these candidate risk factors and the experience of cancer-related fatigue cannot be determined with certainty. Nonetheless, the literature suggests important possible links between fatigue and a wide range of potential underlying mechanisms.

You May Like: Can Back Pain Cause Fatigue

What Causes Excessive Tiredness

Itâs tricky because a number of things can bring on fatigue when youre going through prostate cancer treatment.

For example, itâs common to feel quite worn down due to:

  • not having enough sleep or rest

  • eating poorly and not getting the right amount of exercise

  • stress, anxiety or depression

Recommended Reading: Weakness And Fatigue In Arms

When Do You Have Physical Energy

Cytokines, Fatigue, and Cutaneous Erythema in Early Stage Breast Cancer ...

I had my radiation treatments at 2:45 in the afternoon. I quickly discovered that I had more physical energy in the mornings. I would try to prioritize my day to get the most important things done in the morning. If I had lessons that I needed to go over with the boys, it was best that I did it when I had the physical energy to work with them. This was not after my treatments in the afternoon.

If you have your treatment in the morning, your energy cycle might be different. Perhaps you get more physical energy in the evenings. I would encourage you to note the time of day that you feel like you have more energy. Then, plan the most important things when you might feel the best.

Also Check: Does Heart Problems Cause Fatigue

Can Stress Management Help With Cancer Fatigue

Managing stress can play an important role in combating fatigue. Here are some ways you can manage stress:

  • Adjust your expectations. For example, if you have a list of 10 things you want to accomplish today, pare it down to two and leave the rest for other days. A sense of accomplishment goes a long way to reducing stress.
  • Help others to understand and support you. Family and friends can be helpful if they can âput themselves in your shoesâ and understand what cancer fatigue means for you. Cancer support groups can be a source of support as well. Other people with cancer truly understand what you are going through.
  • Relaxation techniques including guided meditation, deep breathing or visualization can help reduce stress and minimize cancer fatigue.
  • Divert your attention. Activities that divert your attention away from fatigue can also be helpful. Activities that require little physical energy but demand attention include knitting, reading or listening to music.

If your stress feels overwhelming, talk to your healthcare provider. They are there to help.

You May Like: Anti Fatigue Kitchen Mat Long

Radiation Therapy And Risk Of A Second Cancer

In rare cases, radiation therapy to the breast can cause a second cancer.

The most common cancers linked to radiation therapy are sarcomas . For women who are long-term smokers, radiation therapy may also increase the risk of lung cancer .

The risk of a second cancer is small. If your radiation oncologist recommends radiation therapy, the benefits of radiation therapy outweigh this risk.

SUSAN G. KOMEN® SUPPORT RESOURCES

  • If you or a loved one needs more information about breast health or breast cancer, contact the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN or email . All calls are answered by a trained specialist or oncology social worker, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET. Se habla español.
  • Komen Patient Navigators can help guide you through the health care system as you go through a breast cancer diagnosis. They can help to remove barriers to high-quality breast care. For example, they can help you with insurance, local resources, communication with health care providers and more. Call the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN or email [email protected] to learn more about our Patient Navigator program, including eligibility.
  • Komen Facebook groups provide a place where those with a connection to breast cancer can share their experiences and build strong relationships with each other. Visit Facebook and search for Komen Breast Cancer group or Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer group to request to join one of our closed groups.

Recommended Reading: Women’s Vitamins For Fatigue

Prevalence Of Cancer Related Fatigue

About 50%90% of cancer patients worldwide experience cancer-related fatigue.

The following symptoms begin after a week or so of the first radiation treatment:

  • Feeling tired or lethargic throughout the day

Walking from the parking lot to your office may take longer and it may be difficult to accomplish physical tasks. Fatigue can be extremely frustrating because you aren’t quite sleepy, but you just don’t have enough energy to do much.

Fatigue does affect everyone differently. Some may experience mild fatigue, while others may suffer from severe chronic fatigue that affects their quality of life considerably. Your fatigue may increase over time as you undergo more radiation therapy treatments.

Fatigue Can Decrease Your Quality Of Life

Dealing with Breast Cancer Fatigue – Dr. David Riseberg – Mercy

Cancer fatigue can affect all areas of your life by making you too tired to take part in daily activities, relationships, social events, and community activities. You might miss work or school, spend less time with family and friends, or spend more time sleeping. In some cases, physical fatigue leads to mental fatigue and mood changes. This can make it hard for you to pay attention, remember things, and think clearly. If you suffer from cancer fatigue, you may need to take leave from a job or stop working completely. Job loss can lead to money problems and the loss of health insurance. All these things can lessen your quality of life and self-esteem.

Read Also: Extreme Fatigue After Vertigo Attack

Accelerated Radiotherapy Fractionation Design

Patients on APBI and hypofractionated RT accelerated regimens were treated using a novel fractionation scheme: 49.95 Gy over 15 single daily fractions. This was based on the hypofractionated whole breast dose fractionation used by Owen et al: 42.9 Gy over 13 fractions delivered to the whole breast followed by a 14 Gy boost in 7 fractions. Assuming an alpha/beta ratio of 4 Gy for tumor kill, 91.5 Gy4, 90 Gy4, and 99.2 Gy4 were estimated to be delivered using our fractionation scheme, standard whole breast RT + boost, and Owen fractionation + boost, respectively. Assuming an alpha/beta ratio of 10 Gy for acute effects, 66.6 Gy10, 72 Gy10, and 73.9 Gy10 were estimated to be delivered using our fractionation scheme, standard whole breast RT + boost, and Owen fractionation + boost, respectively.

Demographic And General Characteristics Of Bcf Patients

The mean age at diagnosis of the 36 patients included in this study was 55.17 ± 7.76 years. Most of the women were of normal weight or borderline overweight . The rate of smokers was similar to that of the general women population . All of them underwent breast surgery, with equal distribution between conservative and radical surgery . The en bloc axillary dissection was performed in 16 patients, while 21 were subjected to radiotherapy, either in the supraclavicular fossa or in the chest wall. Breast cancer related lymphedema was present in 12 patients. The baseline characteristics along with the therapeutic information are listed in Table 2.

Table 2. Clinicopathologic and demographic characteristics of the patients included in this study.

You May Like: Adrenal Fatigue Weight Gain Treatment

How To Help Someone With Cancer

Some people with cancer find relief from fatigue through meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices that encourage relaxation. Massage and acupuncture can be helpful, too. But check with your doctor to make sure these are safe, especially if your blood counts are low or if youre taking blood thinners.

Recommended Reading: Can Chronic Sinusitis Cause Fatigue

More articles

Popular Articles