Breast Cancer Health Center

Breast Cancer: Combating Cancer-Related Fatigue

How Can I Manage My Stress?

Managing stress can play an important role in combating fatigue. Here are some suggestions that may help.

• Adjust your expectations. For example, if you have a list of 10 things you want to accomplish today, pare it down to two and leave the rest for other days. A sense of accomplishment goes a long way to reducing stress.
• Help others understand and support you. Family and friends can be helpful if they can "put themselves in your shoes" and understand what fatigue means to you. Cancer groups can be a source of support as well. Other people with cancer understand what you are going through.
• Relaxation techniques such as audiotapes that teach deep breathing or visualization can help reduce stress.
• Activities that divert your attention away from fatigue can also be helpful. For example, activities such as knitting, reading or listening to music require little physical energy but require attention.
• If your stress seems out of control, talk to a healthcare professional. They are here to help.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

Although cancer-related fatigue is a common, and often expected, side effect of cancer and its treatments, you should feel free to mention your concerns to your healthcare providers. There are times when fatigue may be a clue to an underlying medical problem. Other times, there may be medical interventions to help control fatigue.

Finally, there may be suggestions that are more specific to your situation that would help in combating your fatigue. Be sure to let your doctor or nurse know if you have:

• Increased shortness of breath with minimal exertion.
• Uncontrolled pain.
• Inability to control side effects from treatments (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite).
• Uncontrollable anxiety or nervousness.
• Ongoing depression.