Fatigue in long‐term breast carcinoma survivors

TLDR

Long‑term fatigue in breast cancer survivors is influenced by modifiable factors such as depression and comorbid medical conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, persistence, and predictors of post‑treatment fatigue in breast carcinoma survivors. A longitudinal cohort of 763 survivors completed validated questionnaires at 1–5 and 5–10 years post‑diagnosis to assess fatigue and related factors. About one‑third of participants reported significant fatigue at 5–10 years, 21% had persistent fatigue at both time points, and predictors included depression, cardiovascular problems, and combined radiation/chemotherapy, with single‑modality treatment showing modest improvement.

Abstract

A longitudinal study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, persistence, and predictors of posttreatment fatigue in breast carcinoma survivors.A sample of 763 breast carcinoma survivors completed questionnaires at 1-5 and 5-10 years after diagnosis, including the RAND 36-item Health Survey, Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression scale (CES-D), Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist, and demographic and treatment-related measures.Approximately 34% of study participants reported significant fatigue at 5-10 years after diagnosis, which is consistent with prevalence estimates obtained at 1-5 years after diagnosis. Approximately 21% reported fatigue at both assessment points, indicating a more persistent symptom profile. Longitudinal predictors of fatigue included depression, cardiovascular problems, and type of treatment received. Women treated with either radiation or chemotherapy alone showed a small improvement in fatigue compared with those treated with both radiation and chemotherapy.Fatigue continues to be a problem for breast carcinoma survivors many years after cancer diagnosis, with 21% reporting persistent problems with fatigue. Several factors that may contribute to long-term fatigue are amenable to intervention, including depression and comorbid medical conditions.