Abstract

Background

Cancer- Related Fatigue (CRF) is a debilitating, multifaceted biopsychosocial symptom experienced by cancer survivors, begins after diagnosis, persists long after treatments end, even when cancer is in remission.

Method

A cross-sectional study entitled "Assessment of Cancer-Related Fatigue On The Lives of Patients" conducted at National Institute of Cancer Research & Hospital, Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital, Dhaka, assessed CRF, using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Fatigue Scale (FACT-F),version 4.

Results

Among 267 patients, 55.8% were male.The majority (40.1%) were in 36-55 age group. The mean age was 46.11 (SD ± 16.548) years,with minimum 16 & maximum 83 years. Larger part (15.7%)were affected by GIT cancer, 15% Breast cancer,14.2% Lung cancer,12.4% Ca Head-Neck,10.5% Soft tissue Sarcoma,10.1% Gynaecological cancer,7.9% Genitourinary cancer,7.9% Haematological cancer,& rest Ca Brain-PNS-Spinal cord,Melanoma - Skin,CUP. Majority (87.3%)were suffering for 1-12 months.Greater part (47.6%)belonged to the stage II.Majority (49.4%)were moderately anaemic. Majority (37.1%) were receiving Chemotherapy, 21.3% Surgery & Chemotherapy, 15.4% Concurrent Chemo-Radiation therapy, 9.0% Radiotherapy, 7.1% Surgical treatment.Better part (76.4%) were receiving treatment regularly.Fatigue was present in 79.4% patients,where 4.5% severely fatigued,28.5% moderately fatigued,46.4% mildly fatigued.The Greater part (53.2%)patients' family- social life, financial condition was seriously hampered. The majority (65.2%) were facing extreme financial difficulties due to physical condition & medical treatment. Mental condition was vulnerable in 43.8%. Functional wellbeing was bad in 15.7% patients, 34.8% were completely unable to work outside &  perform strenous activities. Fatigue level was associated with Sex (P = 0.000 ), Income (P = 0.014), and Cancer stage of the respondents (P = 0.002 ).

Conclusion

This research evaluates measures that have been used to assess the socio-economic aspects of fatigue in cancer patients, will yield positive outcomes in them with different diagnosis undergoing different modalities of treatments & strategies to facilitate reliable assessment of symptoms of CRF.