Knowledge, perceptions, and management of cancer-related fatigue: the patients' perspective

Martina E Schmidt, Susanne Bergbold, Silke Hermann, Karen Steindorf, Martina E Schmidt, Susanne Bergbold, Silke Hermann, Karen Steindorf

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess cancer patients' knowledge and perceptions regarding fatigue and to provide up-to-date information on the current fatigue management from the patients' perspective.

Methods: The FiX study recruited 2508 cancer patients approximately 2 years after diagnosis via a cancer registry in Germany. Participants completed a questionnaire on their knowledge and perceptions of fatigue and the management received.

Results: More than half of respondents (58%), especially among the elderly patients, did not feel well informed about fatigue. Overall, 41% reported having never been asked about being exhausted by their treating physician. Even fewer patients stated that general practitioners or nurses have asked if they felt exhausted. Only 13% of patients who had experienced severe fatigue had received a fatigue assessment by means of a rating scale or questionnaire-although this is recommended by existing guidelines for fatigue screening. Health care professionals seemed less likely to address fatigue with elderly as well as female patients. The most commonly reported measure against fatigue was exercise or regular physical activity (68%). However, this was mostly done on patients' own initiative. Psychological support was rarely used (13%) and only in approximately half of the cases upon the advice of a physician. Yoga, another promising intervention against fatigue, was performed by only 9% of patients.

Conclusions: Our study indicates deficits in terms of knowledge, education, screening, counseling, and treatment for fatigue and highlights starting points for targeted improvements in fatigue management based on patients' needs.

Keywords: Cancer survivorship; Exhaustion; Fatigue management; Patient perspective; Quality of life; Screening.

Conflict of interest statement

Karen Steindorf has received fees and travel costs for lectures and talks on physical activity and quality of life and for scientific reviews from non-profit organizations and companies.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Offers or measures applied by patients, stratified according to fatigue severity
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Patients’ knowledge and perceptions

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