Cancer-related fatigue

Cancer-related fatigue is often reported to be the most frequently experienced and distressing symptom for people with cancer (Ahlberg et al. 2003). Cancer-related fatigue is known to affect individuals prior to, during and after their treatment and it is not uncommon for patients to continue to experience problems with this symptom for many months, or even years after treatment is completed (Wagner & Cella 2004). Unfortunately, however, cancer-related fatigue is often overlooked or unacknowledged by health professionals, and as a result, patients' needs are frequently left unmet (Stone et al. 2000). With the recent government focus on meeting the needs of people in ‘living with and beyond cancer’ (Department of Health 2007), it seems prudent that this important symptom is addressed effectively. This presents a challenge for health professionals, as cancer-related fatigue is a complex symptom which is poorly understood and often regarded as difficult to manage. It is only in coming to understand the multifaceted nature of cancer-related fatigue and the impact that this has upon people's lived experience that health professionals can begin to address this issue. This module aims to assist in this process by enabling the reader to develop an improved understanding of the potential impact of cancer-related fatigue upon the patients with whom they work. It will examine the multiple causes and mechanisms that are thought to result in cancer-related fatigue and highlight useful, practical strategies to assess and manage this symptom. Throughout the module, readers will be encouraged to reflect upon their own practice, and consider ways in which they can better support people experiencing this symptom. The topic module can be accessed at http://www.onlinecancereducationforum.co