Radiotherapy-induced fatigue in Palestinian breast cancer survivors

No study has investigated the cancer-related fatigue (CRF) among Palestinian breast cancer survivors. Our purpose is to assess, compare, and correlate CRF in breast cancer survivors undergoing radiotherapy (RT) with study variables.

CRF in breast cancer survivors was assessed using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F) (version 4). The sample consisted of 148 breast cancer survivors undergoing RT. Data was collected between 1 May 2021 and 1 September 2021. The means and standard deviations of the questionnaire using one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were reported.

Respondents ages ranged from 20 to >65 years old and was divided into four groups: (20-35, 36-50, 51-65, and >65 years, respectively). The total fatigue mean was 2.88 and the SD was 0.84, indicating an intermediate fatigue level among breast cancer survivors. Study survivors with higher education were more likely to be fatigued (F =7.68, P-value =0.001). Divorced survivors were more prone to fatigue compared to married survivors (F =5.83, P-value= 0.001). Finally, survivors who do not have children were more vulnerable to exhaustion compared to those with children (F =7.35, P-value =0.001). Also, younger survivors were more prone to fatigue, compared to older survivors (F =5.29, P-value = 0.002). Results also showed a positive relationship between each of the variables; the number of children (R =0.221, P-value =0.007), age (R =0.311, P-value =0.000), and duration of treatment (R =0.290, P-value =0.000), which means that the greater the number of children, the younger the age, or the longer the duration of treatment, the more fatigue is reported in breast cancer survivors.

Fatigue is frequently observed in breast cancer survivors undergoing RT. It can limit RT treatment continuity. Therefore, early detection of fatigue can help survivors adhere to RT treatment and achieve better clinical results.