Beyond the often debilitating side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea, vomiting, abnormal blood levels, and hair loss, cancer-related fatigue affects 70-100% of patients with cancer, and it can persist for months or years after treatment. Unfortunately, scientific data about the cause, pattern, and alleviation of cancer-related fatigue are limited. In a recent issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, researchers reported that physical exercise can reduce fatigue, both during and after cancer treatment.

The investigators reviewed the results of 28 randomized, controlled clinical trials including over 2000 participants in order to examine the impact of exercise on cancer-related fatigue. The majority of the participants were breast cancer patients. The average age of the participants was between 39 and 69 years of age, with most in their 50s. After analyzing the data, the investigators found that exercise was statistically more effective than both no exercise and other interventions, including relaxation therapy, tai chi, and group psychotherapy, in reducing cancer-related fatigue.

Although increased physical activity may alleviate cancer-related fatigue, particularly for breast cancer patients, it is still not known what type or intensity of exercise is the most effective. Further studies are needed to better define the guidelines regarding exercise in the treatment of cancer-related fatigue.