ICACT: Cancer-Related Fatigue Has Large Impact On Quality Of Life Cancer-related fatigue is associated with significant adverse physical, psychosocial and economic consequences for both patients and their caregivers, according to data from two surveys described here at the 11th International Congress on Anti-Cancer Treatment (ICACT). Dr. Gregory A. Curt, with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, United States, reviewed data from a survey that polled 419 patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, 200 caregivers and 197 oncologists. Overall, 78 percent of patients, 86 percent of caregivers and 76 percent of oncologists reported fatigue. Thirty two percent of patients maintained that they experienced fatigue every day, and 61 percent said that fatigue impaired their ability to work. More oncologists than patients (61 percent versus 19 percent) believed pain interfered with their daily life more than fatigue, however more patients than oncologists (61 percent versus 37 percent) thought fatigue had a greater effect. Fifty percent of patients reported discussing treatments for fatigue with their physicians, and only 27 percent said that they had been treated for their fatigue. The second survey included 379 patients treated with chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Overall, more patients (76 percent) experienced fatigue during their most recent chemotherapy than experienced nausea, depression (23 percent) or pain (20 percent). Sixty percent of those who experienced all four side effects reported that fatigue had the greatest impact. Thanks to Doctor's Guide Link to site created by Oncology Nursing Society & Allicance for Lung Cancer Euro J of Cancer Care, 1/02 J Psychosomatic Medicine, 9/02 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.