When someone has cancer, they might feel really tired and weak all the time. This is called cancer-related fatigue.
Cancer-related fatigue is not like normal tiredness that goes away after a good night’s sleep. It is more extreme and can affect a person’s ability to do even simple things like walking or taking a shower.
Cancer-related fatigue can happen for many reasons. It can be caused by the cancer itself, the treatments to fight the cancer, or other factors like lack of sleep, anxiety, or depression.
Sometimes, cancer treatment can damage healthy cells in the body and make a person feel tired. This can happen after chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a bone marrow transplant.
Cancer-related fatigue can be really frustrating and can affect a person’s mood and quality of life. It is important for people with cancer-related fatigue to talk to their doctor and healthcare team about ways to manage it. This might include getting more rest, eating healthy foods, doing gentle exercise, and taking medications or supplements.
It’s important to remember that cancer-related fatigue is a real and common symptom of cancer. People who experience it are not being lazy or weak. It’s okay to ask for help and to take time to rest and prioritize self-care.