Breast Cancer Living With Breast Cancer

Fatigue May Persist for Breast Cancer Survivors

(iVillage Total Health) - Women who survive breast cancer may experience fatigue well after they have completed treatment, according to researchers in the Netherlands. The study also identified certain factors that may predict which patients are more prone to ongoing fatigue.

The study, published in the journal Psycho-Oncology, examined 121 breast cancer patients for two years following treatment. Using a questionnaire, the women rated their fatigue the beginning of the study and monthly thereafter.

Results revealed that nearly one-quarter of the women complained of persistent severe fatigue during the two-year evaluation period. The fatigue appeared to be associated with the length of former treatment.

The fatigue did not seem to be related to the type of surgery or additional therapies, such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The interval since the completion of treatment also did not seem to affect the presence of fatigue.

In examining the women's complaints at the beginning of the study, researchers were able to identify certain predictive factors. Women who initially indicated high anxiety, difficulty functioning and poor control over their symptoms appeared to be at higher risk for developing long-term fatigue.

Physical and emotional factors may play an important role in the well-being of the cancer survivors. The authors suggest that these predictors may help cancer care professionals plan appropriate intervention for post-treatment patients.

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