Global BulletinAll NewsFDA Approval AlertWomen in Oncology
Expert InterviewsAround the PracticeBetween the LinesFace OffFrom All AnglesMeeting of the MindsOncViewPodcastsTraining AcademyTreatment Algorithms with the Oncology BrothersVideos
Conferences
All JournalsEditorial BoardFor AuthorsYear in Review
Frontline ForumSatellite Sessions
CME/CE
Awareness MonthInteractive ToolsNurse Practitioners/Physician's AssistantsPartnersSponsoredSponsored Media
Career CenterSubscribe
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
Spotlight -
  • Radiation Oncology
  • Surgery
Adverse Effects
Brain Cancer
Breast CancerBreast CancerBreast Cancer
Gastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal CancerGastrointestinal Cancer
Genitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary CancersGenitourinary Cancers
Gynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic CancersGynecologic Cancers
Head & Neck Cancer
Hematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic OncologyHematologic Oncology
InfectionInfection
Leukemia
Lung CancerLung CancerLung Cancer
Lymphoma
Neuroendocrine Tumors
Oncology
Pediatric Cancers
Radiation Oncology
Sarcoma
Screening
Skin Cancer & Melanoma
Surgery
Thyroid Cancer
    • Conferences
    • CME/CE
    • Career Center
    • Subscribe

Your AI-Trained Oncology Knowledge Connection!

scout
Advertisement

Poll Shows Incidence, Adverse Effects of Cancer-Related Fatigue

March 1, 1997
Publication
Article
Oncology NEWS InternationalOncology NEWS International Vol 6 No 3
Volume 6
Issue 3

NEW YORK--A nationwide survey of US cancer patients, oncologists, and caregivers documents that fatigue has profound effects on patients, including their ability to work, meet family needs, and cope with the disease.

NEW YORK--A nationwide survey of US cancer patients, oncologists, andcaregivers documents that fatigue has profound effects on patients, includingtheir ability to work, meet family needs, and cope with the disease.

The survey, of 419 patients, 197 oncol-ogists, and 200 caregivers, showedthat 78% of cancer patients experience fatigue during the course of theirdisease, with 53% saying they experience fatigue on most days, if not everyday (Figure 1).

While 80% of physicians surveyed said they believe that fatigue is overlookedand undertreated, less than half reported that they discuss it with patientsor attempt to treat it.

"For many patients, fatigue is a daily reminder that they havecancer," said Nicholas Vogelzang, MD, professor of medicine, Universityof Chicago, and one of the authors of the survey. "If we can controlor lessen its effects, we go a long way toward restoring a sense of normalcyto patients' lives."

Some Too Tired to Eat

The survey was conducted by the research organization Wirthlin Worldwidefor The Fatigue Coalition, a multidiscipli-nary group of physicians andpatient advocates from institutions including Harvard, Stanford, MemorialSloan-Kettering, the University of Chicago, and the National Coalitionfor Cancer Survi-vorship. It was underwritten by Ortho Biotech Inc.

The majority of cancer patients reported that fatigue adversely affectstheir ability to work (61%) and interferes with their usual activities(51%), while 42% said that it negatively impacts their ability to takecare of their families (see Figure 2).For some, fatigue makes it difficult even to get out of bed (29%) or toeat their meals (24%).

Psychologically, fatigue also takes a tremendous toll: 57% of patientsin the study said they are unable to enjoy life fully because of fatigue,and 31% said that fatigue affects their hope of successfully fighting theircancer. Some 16% of patients surveyed said that treating their fatiguewas as important as treating the cancer itself, a "small althoughrelevant figure," Dr. Vogelzang said.

Other intriguing findings: While physicians believe that pain is moredebilitating and prevalent than fatigue, 61% of patients say that fatigueaffects their lives more than pain. And while most patients feel that fatigueis caused by their treatment, most physicians believe that the cancer isthe cause, which may explain why most patients (75%) are resigned to livingwith their fatigue.

In response to the survey, The Fatigue Coalition plans to develop aseries of educational and research initiatives designed to help patientsand physicians better understand the onset, duration, and progression offatigue in cancer and how to intervene successfully.

Articles in this issue

Bills Address Women's Health and Cancer Issues
Possible Evolutionary Advantage Seen in Breast Cancer Genes
Physicians Urged to Listen to Tamoxifen Users' Concerns
Neck Check Exam Aims at Early Detection
Upcoming Multicenter Study Will Compare Digital Versus Film Screen Mammography
Investigation Clears Fisher of Scientific Misconduct Charges In NSABP Studies
NCAB to Consider Mammography in Forties
Endocrinologists Issue Clinical Guidelines for Thyroid Cancer
Fatigue May Be Most Under-recognized, Undertreated Cancer-related Symptom
Hormone Replacement Therapy: Making Informed Decisions
AHCPR Issues Colorectal Cancer Screening Evidence Report
Genetic Advances Allow Early Detection of MEN Syndromes
MRI Used to Detect Local Prostate Cancer Recurrence After Prostatectomy
Proposed Budget Increase for NCI Is Below Expected Rate of Inflation
Mammography in One's 40s: Considering the Arguments

Newsletter

Stay up to date on recent advances in the multidisciplinary approach to cancer.

Subscribe Now!
Recent Videos
“It’s a drug that I’m very comfortable with, and it is a drug I’ll likely use primarily in the first-line setting,” stated Jorge Nieva, MD, on taletrectinib in non–small cell lung cancer.
4 experts in this video
4 experts in this video
Those being treated for peritoneal carcinomatosis may not have to experience the complication rates or prolonged recovery associated with surgical options.
For patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, integrating PIPAC into a treatment regimen does not interrupt their systemic therapy.
Related Content

Data from the phase 1/2 WU-KONG1 study support the accelerated approval of sunvozertinib in this population.

Sunvozertinib Earns FDA Accelerated Approval in EGFR Exon 20+ NSCLC

Russ Conroy
July 2nd 2025
Article

Data from the phase 1/2 WU-KONG1 study support the accelerated approval of sunvozertinib in this population.


Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Harnessing PIPAC to Improve Outcomes in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Benjamin J. Golas, MD
June 30th 2025
Podcast

Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.


The expert panel discussed the efficacy observed with cilta-cel in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Comparing CAR T Safety, Efficacy in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Roman Fabbricatore
July 2nd 2025
Article

The expert panel discussed the efficacy observed with cilta-cel in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.


Stephen Liu, MD, and Joshua Sabari, MD, discuss the most intriguing non–small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer breakthroughs from the meeting.

Practice-Changing Lung Cancer Data From the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting

Stephen V. Liu, MD;Joshua K. Sabari, MD
June 23rd 2025
Podcast

Stephen Liu, MD; and Joshua Sabari, MD, discuss the most intriguing non–small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer breakthroughs from the meeting.


Data supporting the FDA decision came from the phase 1/2 LINKER-MM1 (NCT03761108) trial.

Linvoseltamab Earns FDA Accelerated Approval for R/R Multiple Myeloma

Roman Fabbricatore
July 2nd 2025
Article

Data supporting the FDA decision came from the phase 1/2 LINKER-MM1 trial.


The system showed enhanced diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative imaging, potentially improving the extent of resection while reducing residual disease.

SonoClear System Earns Breakthrough Designation for Intracranial Procedures

Roman Fabbricatore
July 2nd 2025
Article

The system showed enhanced diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative imaging, potentially improving the extent of resection while reducing residual disease.

Related Content

Data from the phase 1/2 WU-KONG1 study support the accelerated approval of sunvozertinib in this population.

Sunvozertinib Earns FDA Accelerated Approval in EGFR Exon 20+ NSCLC

Russ Conroy
July 2nd 2025
Article

Data from the phase 1/2 WU-KONG1 study support the accelerated approval of sunvozertinib in this population.


Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Harnessing PIPAC to Improve Outcomes in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

Benjamin J. Golas, MD
June 30th 2025
Podcast

Benjamin Golas, MD, discusses how the use of PIPAC may work in conjunction with systemic chemotherapy for those with peritoneal carcinomatosis.


The expert panel discussed the efficacy observed with cilta-cel in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Comparing CAR T Safety, Efficacy in Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma

Roman Fabbricatore
July 2nd 2025
Article

The expert panel discussed the efficacy observed with cilta-cel in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.


Stephen Liu, MD, and Joshua Sabari, MD, discuss the most intriguing non–small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer breakthroughs from the meeting.

Practice-Changing Lung Cancer Data From the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting

Stephen V. Liu, MD;Joshua K. Sabari, MD
June 23rd 2025
Podcast

Stephen Liu, MD; and Joshua Sabari, MD, discuss the most intriguing non–small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer breakthroughs from the meeting.


Data supporting the FDA decision came from the phase 1/2 LINKER-MM1 (NCT03761108) trial.

Linvoseltamab Earns FDA Accelerated Approval for R/R Multiple Myeloma

Roman Fabbricatore
July 2nd 2025
Article

Data supporting the FDA decision came from the phase 1/2 LINKER-MM1 trial.


The system showed enhanced diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative imaging, potentially improving the extent of resection while reducing residual disease.

SonoClear System Earns Breakthrough Designation for Intracranial Procedures

Roman Fabbricatore
July 2nd 2025
Article

The system showed enhanced diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative imaging, potentially improving the extent of resection while reducing residual disease.

Advertisement
About
Advertise
CureToday.com
OncLive.com
OncNursingNews.com
TargetedOnc.com
Editorial
Contact
Terms and Conditions
Privacy
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.