Cancer Patients May Not be Receiving Best Treatment for Debilitating Fatigue

Many people who have been through cancer and its treatment have trouble with their recovery due to severe, debilitating fatigue that can last for months or even years. But even though a variety of treatments exist for cancer-related fatigue, few doctors recommend them to patients, according to a recent Mayo Clinic study that is published in Supportive Care in Cancer.

The study found that few available treatment strategies are being offered or prescribed by physicians. Regular physical activity, such as walking with a pedometer, has been shown to ease fatigue. Learning stress reduction and coping techniques also can help patients alter daily habits and increase restfulness. However, only one-tenth of patients said their oncology teams instructed them to become more active or try other non-medication-related fatigue-reducing measures. In addition, more than 35 percent of patients had been offered sleep-enhancing medication, even though drugs have been shown to be the least effective approach. For more information, click here to read the full release.