Person overcoming cancer fatigue with support.

Conquering Cancer Fatigue: Practical Steps for Regaining Your Energy

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Evidence-based strategies to manage cancer-related fatigue and improve your quality of life."

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a persistent and distressing side effect that many individuals experience during and after cancer treatment. Unlike typical tiredness, CRF is overwhelming, doesn't improve with rest, and significantly impacts daily life. It affects physical functioning, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

While evidence-based guidelines for managing CRF exist, they aren't always consistently implemented. This article explores practical strategies and expert recommendations to help you understand, manage, and overcome cancer-related fatigue. We'll delve into adapting guidelines, seeking professional support, and integrating effective practices into your daily routine.

Whether you're currently undergoing treatment, have recently finished, or are years into survivorship, this guide offers valuable insights and actionable steps to regain your energy and live a fuller, more active life.

Understanding Cancer-Related Fatigue: What the Guidelines Say

Person overcoming cancer fatigue with support.

The Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) has developed comprehensive guidelines for managing CRF. These guidelines, deemed suitable for international use, target interdisciplinary oncology teams and emphasize a holistic approach. Key recommendations include:

While the CAPO guidelines provide a strong foundation, successful implementation requires addressing common barriers and tailoring the recommendations to individual needs.

Regular Screening: Implement routine screening for fatigue using validated quantitative measures.
Focused Assessment: If screening is positive, conduct a thorough assessment to identify potential medical causes and contributing factors.
Treat Contributing Factors: Address underlying issues such as anemia, pain, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders.
Physical Activity: Engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, as tolerated.
Patient Education: Provide education on fatigue self-management strategies.
Multicomponent Programs: Promote access to group psycho-education programs focused on self-management.
Referral to Experts: Consider referral to fatigue clinics or experts trained in cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic fatigue.

It's important to consult with your healthcare team to determine the most appropriate course of action based on your individual circumstances. No recommendations should be taken without the approval of your oncologist.

Taking Control of Your Energy Levels

While cancer-related fatigue can be challenging, remember that you're not alone, and effective strategies exist to help you regain control of your energy levels and improve your quality of life. By working closely with your healthcare team, adapting evidence-based guidelines, and prioritizing self-care, you can navigate CRF and live a more fulfilling life, if you are feeling any form of unusual symptoms please contact medical professionals.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1186/s12913-017-2415-9, Alternate LINK

Title: Cancer Related Fatigue: Implementing Guidelines For Optimal Management

Subject: Health Policy

Journal: BMC Health Services Research

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Elizabeth J. M. Pearson, Meg E. Morris, Carol E. Mckinstry

Published: 2017-07-18

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is cancer-related fatigue?

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distinct type of exhaustion that is overwhelming and persistent. Unlike normal tiredness, CRF doesn't get better with rest and it can significantly interfere with your daily activities, affecting your physical health, emotional state, and overall well-being. Recognizing CRF as a unique condition is the first step in managing it effectively.

What are the Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) guidelines, and why are they important?

The Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) guidelines emphasize a comprehensive approach to managing cancer-related fatigue (CRF). These guidelines are significant because they provide a framework for healthcare teams to address CRF through regular screening, thorough assessment, treatment of contributing factors, promotion of physical activity, patient education, multicomponent programs, and referrals to experts. Their consistent implementation is key to improving the quality of life for individuals experiencing CRF.

What are some of the specific strategies that the Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) guidelines recommend for managing cancer-related fatigue?

According to the Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) guidelines, several strategies can help manage cancer-related fatigue (CRF). These include routine screening for fatigue, addressing underlying issues like anemia or mood disorders, engaging in regular physical activity, educating patients on self-management strategies, participating in group psycho-education programs, and seeking expert help, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.

Why is screening and assessment so important in managing cancer-related fatigue?

Screening helps to identify cancer-related fatigue (CRF) early. If the screening is positive, a focused assessment will look for potential medical or contributing factors. These may include anemia, pain, sleep disturbances and mood disorders. Addressing these underlying issues can lead to improvements in cancer-related fatigue.

Why is physical activity important, and what kind of physical activity is recommended?

Physical activity is important in the management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) as it helps to improve energy levels, physical functioning, and overall well-being. The Canadian Association for Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) guidelines recommend moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, as tolerated. However, it's essential to consult with your healthcare team to determine the most appropriate level and type of physical activity for your individual circumstances.