CANCER-RELATED FATIGUE
Evidence-based recommendation for surveillance of cancer-related fatigue a (IGHG b)
This page is part of the PanCare follow-up recommendations for surveillance of late effects. Click here, for more information on these recommendations.
a Cancer-related fatigue is defined as “a distressing, persistent, subjective sense of physical, emotional and/or cognitive tiredness or exhaustion related to cancer or cancer treatment that is not proportional to recent activity and interferes with usual functioning”.
b This recommendation reflects the recommendations of the preliminary evidence-based IGHG Fatigue guideline. The guideline will be published in a peer-reviewed journal soon.
c Main risk factors for cancer-related fatigue in CAYA cancer survivors are psychological distress, late effects or health problems, pain, older age at follow-up and radiotherapy.
d Questions to ask: “Do you get tired easily?”, or “Are you too tired or exhausted to enjoy the things you like to do?”
e Ideally, the PROMIS Pediatric Fatigue Measure or the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale.
f For example other late effects like cardiac dysfunction, endocrine dysfunction, pulmonary dysfunction, and renal dysfunction (IGHG guidelines under development); and/or other general causes like anaemia, arthritis, neuromuscular complications, pain, fever and/or infection, and nutritional deficiencies (list not conclusive).
g Physical activity, education about cancer-related fatigue, relaxation and mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, adventure-based training.