Fatigue and physical activity in older patients with cancer: a six-month follow-up study

To determine the relationship between fatigue and physical activity in older patients with cancer.

Targeted analysis using data from a prospective longitudinal study.

A cancer care facility in southeastern Ontario, Canada.

440 patients, aged 65 years and older, seeking consultation for cancer treatment at a regional cancer clinic for lymphoma or leukemia or lung, breast, genitourinary, head or neck, gastrointestinal, or skin cancers.

Self-report questionnaires were mailed to consenting participants and completed at baseline and three and six months after consultation for cancer treatment.

Participants rated fatigue and physical activity and reported comorbidities and personal demographic characteristics. Clinical measures of disease and treatment factors were obtained through chart abstraction.

Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom reported. Higher fatigue was associated with lower physical activity levels. Physical activity level significantly predicted fatigue level, regardless of age.

Physical activity level is a modifiable factor significantly predicting cancer-related fatigue at three and six months following consultation for cancer treatment. The results suggest that physical activity may reduce fatigue in older patients with cancer.

Physical activity interventions should be developed and tested in older patients with cancer.