Information about breast cancer

Lingering fatigue after breast cancer

About 20 percent of women who go through breast cancer continue to suffer from severe fatigue years after treatment. Their symptoms are often swept under the rug. Because the cancer is "defeated," those around them quickly expect everything to return to normal.

This is fatigue that severely interferes with daily functioning and does not disappear with a good night's sleep. The severity can range from constant physical exhaustion to mental sluggishness that affects concentration and memory.

It leads to feelings of frustration, as people want to get back to their lives as soon as possible. Resuming work is sometimes impossible because of severe fatigue. On top of that, those around them are not always understanding. People want to leave the cancer behind as soon as possible.

Lingering fatigue after cancer can have several causes. For example, chemotherapy and radiation can have a long-term impact on the body. In addition, hormonal therapies, such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, have fatigue as a common side effect. Furthermore, psychological factors, such as stress, fear of relapse or depression, play a role. Decreased fitness after cancer treatment intensifies feelings of fatigue.

Those who have gone through cancer are more likely to remain vulnerable and bump into their limits more quickly. There is usually little attention to this and the medical community has no ready-made solution. It is up to ex-patients to develop strategies to deal with fatigue.

Strategies that help with fatigue after cancer:

  • Energy management: spreading out activities and alternating them with moments of rest can prevent overload.
  • Physical activity: appropriate exercise, such as walking or yoga, can improve energy balance.
  • Psychological support: cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness sometimes help cope better with symptoms.
  • Medical follow-up: good communication with health care providers remains essential to rule out other possible causes.

Conclusion

Long-term fatigue after cancer is a common but often misunderstood complaint. Recognition and understanding, both from the medical community and the immediate environment, are crucial to giving ex-cancer patients the support they need. By increasing awareness, we can work together to improve the quality of life after cancer.

Continue reading

Treatments
Breast Clinic

What does a breast nurse do?

In a breast clinic, the breast nurse is the central guide through the entire journey of each patient with breast cancer. A breast clinic is a well-functioning network of experts, including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, psychologists, dieticians, social workers..., who work together in a multidisciplinary way around breast conditions and breast cancer in particular.
Treatments
Relationships
Testimonial

Column: from shared excitement to shared acceptance

As the chemo disappeared drop by drop into one of my wife's veins, I looked in a basket of old magazines for something to read. The level of reading material didn't really transcend that of the average barber store. Finally, I came across a medical journal.
Treatments
Embraces
No items found.

Pink Ribbon launches Omhelzingen: a book like a warm blanket

A diagnosis of breast cancer is bad news, and bad news always affects the patient and those around him. You have to have experienced it yourself to understand how tough it is. That's what 60% of those surveyed by Pink Ribbon said. We give loved ones a voice in the book Embraces.

Find out how you can support Pink Ribbon .

Thanks to our partners

How can you help?