The Effect of Exercise on Chemotherapy-Related Fatigue

Abstract

Cancer is an excessively common disease that affects millions of people around the world every year. Annual new cases of cancer in Europe are more than 3,7 million, and in Finland more than 30 000 new cases per year. There are several different treatment methods for cancer, including surgery, radiation, cytostatic treatment and hormone treatment, for example. Cancer treatments may cause side effects that may decrease the quality of life of a cancer patient. The most common side effect in cancer patients, and specifically in chemotherapy receiving patients, is fatigue. Nearly every patient receiving cytotoxic treatment suffers from fatigue. However, physical exercise and activity is shown to be an effective way to treat chemotherapy-related fatigue. The purpose of this thesis was to produce a video about the effects of exercise on chemotherapy-related fatigue. The aim of this thesis was to increase awareness on easing chemotherapy-related fatigue with exercising among cancer patients, as well as to encourage and motivate patients to exercise regularly. The thesis was conducted in cooperation with the client organization Pohjois-Savon Syöpäyhdistys. The thesis was carried out as development work, producing an informational video discussing motivating cancer patients to include exercise into their cancer care. The content of the video is based on the literature search, which studied the side effects of chemotherapy, different modes of exercise and how it eases fatigue. Chemotherapy-related fatigue is a rather common side effect that most cancer patients experience. The results of the literature search showed that exercise is an effective intervention in preventing and treating chemotherapy-related fatigue. The product of the development work will be utilized by the client organization. The video could also be used nationwide in any cancer care facilities