Cancer Related Fatigue
Body — To combat cancer related fatigue

• Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids (8-10 cups/day)
• Control pain (for example, with medications, relaxation, heat/cold, or massage)
• Treat anemia with the help of your health care team
• Control nausea (for example, with medications, relaxation, deep breathing, or imagery)
• Control constipation (for example, with medications, diet, or activity)

Prevent Infections

• Bathe every day or two
• Brush teeth after meals
• Wash hands after using the toilet, before eating, and as needed
• Avoid crowds and people with contagious illnesses

Eat a Well Balanced Diet

• Accept offers of assistance with food shopping and meal preparation
• Share mealtimes with friends and family
• Eat small amounts of nutritious foods throughout the day
• Include foods with protein each day (ex: milk, yogurt, sandwich)
• Rest before meals
• Talk with a dietitian
• Ask your doctor or dietitian about supplements

Get Enough Sleep and Rest

• Alternate rest with activity
• Limit nap length to 20-30 minutes
• Avoid activities or stimulation before bedtime
• Set a bedtime routine
• Do relaxation or meditation before bed
• Get a good night’s sleep
• Talk to your health care provider about the use of sleeping medicines if you are having trouble sleeping

Before Exercising, Ask Your Doctor or Nurse Before Exercising if you have:

• Irregular heart beat
• Chest pain
• Leg cramps
• Nausea during exercise
• Dizziness or confusion
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• New bone, back, or neck pain

Exercise

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
• Start walking or exercising slowly and do more, gradually
• Exercise every day or twice a day with a rest period in between
• Do not push yourself to the point of extreme fatigue
• Ask to see a physical therapist if you have physical limitations or special needs
• Practice stretching exercises such as Yoga or Tai Chi

Conserve Energy

• Pace activities so you are "doing, resting, doing, resting"
  • Prevent overdoing by developing a routine
  • Avoid rushing as much as possible
  • Alternate tasks that take more energy with those that take less
  • Pace and plan on days when you feel well and on days when you do not feel well
  • Stop and rest before you get tired
• Delegate as much as possible
  • Identify activities you feel you have to do - be realistic
  • Focus on things you enjoy doing
  • Prioritize those activities and learn to let go of the things you don’t have to do
  • Avoid heavy lifting (children, pots and pans, laundry)
• Plan Ahead
  • Combine chores and errands
  • Create short cuts for yourself
  • Organize work centers with all needed equipment within easy reach
  • Arrange household so that most activities can be done on one level
  • Sit to work whenever possible
  • Use labor saving devices or adaptive equipment
  • Use carts or wagons to move things about rather than carrying
  • Wear a fanny pack, carpenter’s apron, or jacket/sweater with pockets to carry things
  • Ask to see an occupational therapist for specific suggestions

Manage Fatigue In the Workplace

• Communicate with your employer and co-workers about:
  • Energy level
  • Flexible scheduling
  • New job responsibilities
• Set realistic work priorities
• Eat throughout the day and take needed breaks
• Utilize the Job Accommodation Network — (800) 232-9675