Just as every cancer patient's treatment is different, the fatigue felt will be different, too. While one person may feel very tired, another may not. And one person's fatigue may last longer than another person's. But there are things cancer patients can do to help combat fatigue. Here are 7 tips to manage cancer-related fatigue:

1. Rest, but not too much

Plan your day so you have time to rest. Take short naps or breaks, rather than one long rest period. Sleep and rest are important, but don't overdo it. Too much rest can decrease your energy level. In other words, the more you rest, the more tired you will feel. If you have trouble sleeping, talk to your health care team.

2. Stay active

Stay as active as you can. Regular moderate exercise -- especially walking -- has been found to be a good way to ease fatigue. Add other activities that are less strenuous, like bird watching, listening to music, or reading. To help you plan your activities, keep a diary of how you feel each day. In assessing your fatigue, doctors or nurses may ask things like how bad it is (rated from 0 - 10), what are the patterns to it, and what makes it better or worse? Keep a record of how you feel to make it easy to answer these questions.

Lillian Nail, PhD, of the University of Utah School of Nursing tells her patients to see a physical therapist or exercise physiologist to figure out the best exercise program for their situation.

3. Save your energy

Plan ahead. Spread your activities throughout the day. Don't push yourself by standing too long or by doing activities in extreme temperatures. Even long, hot showers or baths can drain your energy. Store items within easy reach, so you won’t have to strain to get them from overhead storage. Take rest breaks between activities to save your energy for the things you want to do. Most of all, prioritize. Decide which activities are really important to you and which ones aren't.

4. Get help

Ask your family or friends to help with the things you find tiring or hard to do. This may be things like mowing the lawn, preparing meals, doing housework, or running errands. Don't force yourself to do more than you can manage. It may be hard for others to understand if rest does not make your fatigue go away. Try to explain that the fatigue you feel is different from "normal" fatigue-- this may help them understand.

Finding "low-maintenance helpers" is also important says Dr. Nail. "Even when it comes to getting your lawn mowed, you need someone who will just do it and sneak away quietly, not someone who wants to make conversation." She also says picking a "job coordinator" can help. This is someone who can get helpers organized, so you don't have to deal with routine chores.

5. Get support

Think about joining a support group. Sharing your feelings with others can ease the burden of fatigue. You can learn coping hints from others by talking about your situation. Ask your health care professional to put you in touch with a support group in your area. Or call our toll-free number to find a group near you.

6. Eat well

Drink plenty of water and juices. Eat as well as you can. Try to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

7. Call your doctor

Call your doctor if you feel too tired to get out of bed for a 24 hour period, if you feel confused, dizzy, lose your balance or fall, have a problem waking up, have a problem catching your breath, or if the fatigue seems to be getting worse.

Fatigue caused by cancer treatment is short-term, experts say. Your energy will slowly come back, especially if you stay active.

Additional resources

• Feeling Tired vs. Cancer-Related Fatigue

• Fatigue in People With Cancer

Last Medical Review: 10/08/2008
Last Revised: 10/08/2008