Patients' Experiences With Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Review and Synthesis of Qualitative Research
Abstract
Purpose/objectives To systematically review published qualitative reports of descriptions of fatigue by patients with cancer and how cancer-related fatigue (CF) affects their lives. Data sources MEDLINE®, CANCERLIT®, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Data synthesis Two researchers conducted independent reviews of 667 patient quotes found in 154 articles published from 1996-2009 to identify concepts and language used to describe CF. Conclusions CF is more intense than the tiredness patients recalled from before diagnosis or treatment. Published patient quotes fail to adjudicate whether CF should be approached as a single symptom or a more complex symptom cluster. Implications for nursing Systematic study of patients with different cancer types and stages is needed to identify effective, valid, and reliable self-reported assessments of CF for clinical practice and trials.
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CRF is experienced as a dynamic and unpredictable condition, with patients reporting sudden drops in energy levels and gradual build-up of fatigue throughout the day.
“CRF is experienced as a dynamic and unpredictable condition, with patients reporting sudden drops in energy levels, as well as a gradual build-up of their fatigue throughout the day.4,5”
From Exploring the dynamic interconnectedness of protective and perpetuating factors of cancer-related fatigue (2023) · cites this paper as [5]
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References 48 · Cited by 97
- Authors
- Scott, J. A., Lasch, K. E., Barsevick, A. M., & Piault-Louis, E.
- Venue
- Oncology Nursing Forum
- Publisher
- Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)
- Published
- 2011-04-29
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- E191-E203
- ISSN
- 0190-535X (ISSN-L)
- 1538-0688
- OpenAlex
- W1993323123
- Cited by
- 97
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 0.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Oncology nursing forum (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Cancer survivorship and care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Keywords
- cancer-related fatigue, patient experience, symptom clusters, quality of life, patient perspectives, fatigue severity
- MeSH terms
- Fatigue, Humans, Neoplasms, Oncology Nursing, Nursing Methodology Research, Qualitative Research
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