This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) eLetters: Submit a response to this article Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints/Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Dillon, E. Articles by Kelly, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dillon, E. Articles by Kelly, J.

The Status of Cancer Fatigue on the Island of Ireland: AIFC Professional and Interim Patient Surveys

^a Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland; ^b Irish Cancer Society, Dublin, Ireland and ^c Irish Association for Nurses in Oncology, Dublin, Ireland

Correspondence: Ms. Eileen Dillon, Clinical Research Nurse, Northern Ireland Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, East Podium, C Floor, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB, Northern Ireland. Telephone: 44-2890-263903; Fax: 44-2890-263897; e-mail: eileen.dillon{at}bch.n-i.nhs.uk

The objectives of the All Ireland Fatigue Surveys are: A) to learn more about the nature of cancer patients’ fatigue; B) to explore the impact that fatigue has on the lives of these patients; C) to determine physicians’ and nurses’ perceptions of fatigue in patients; and D) to find the current level of management of cancer fatigue in Ireland. In two surveys, one involving 109 physicians and another involving 160 nurses, the vast majority of respondents reported that they believe nausea to be the side effect of most concern to their cancer patients. In contrast, 41% of 143 patient respondents to a third survey reported that fatigue was the side effect that had the greatest impact on them. Patients indicated that fatigue affected them physically, mentally, emotionally, and economically. Yet, approximately half the patients who reported their fatigue to their physician or nurse received no treatment to relieve their fatigue. The number one recommendation made to patients who did receive treatment to help reduce their fatigue was rest/relaxation, even though research suggests that exercise can be of greater benefit. Thus, it appears that cancer patients’ fatigue has been largely under-recognized and poorly managed or ignored. With the formation of interdisciplinary groups of health care professionals focused solely on cancer fatigue, efforts are under way on the island of Ireland to address this too long misunderstood and neglected aspect of cancer patients’ lives.

Key Words. Cancer • Fatigue • Quality of life • Current management

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. Poirier Policy Implications of the Relationship of Sick Leave Benefits, Individual Characteristics, and Fatigue to Employment During Radiation Therapy for Cancer Policy Politics Nursing Practice, November 1, 2005; 6(4): 305 - 318. [Abstract] [PDF]

				U. Reinhardt, A. Tulusan, R. Angermund, H. Lutz, and For The German Epoetin Alfa Study Group Increased Hemoglobin Levels and Improved Quality-of-Life Assessments During Epoetin Alfa Treatment in Anemic Cancer Patients: Results of a Prospective, Multicenter German Trial Oncologist, March 1, 2005; 10(3): 225 - 237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. A. Daly Introduction: All Ireland Fatigue Coalition Oncologist, February 1, 2003; 8(90001): 1 - 2. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]