Prevalence of Cancer-related Fatigue among Women with Breast Cancer in Erbil City

Abstract

Background and objective: Cancer-related fatigue is greatest frequent upsetting sense of tiredness or exhaustion can happen regardless of cancer type and could be experienced physically or emotionally, and or cognitively, that is associated with the tumor or its treat-ment. The current study aimed at assessing prevalence of cancer related fatigue among women with breast cancer. Method: A descriptive cross- sectional study design was conducted from 8th of October 2018 to 8th October 2019. To find out the prevalence of cancer-related fatigue among fe-male breast cancer patients at Nankali Hospital in Erbil city. A sample of 60 breast cancer patient was obtained through non-probability purposive convenience sampling tech-niques. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23 for windows. Results: The results showed that the highest percentage of participants (45%) were from age group between 39-54, most of them were from urban area, graduated from primary school, married, however; 53.3% of breast cancer women they had family history of breast cancer. Regarding breast cancer stages, 40% of participants were in third stage. Most of the breast cancer patients were receiving chemotherapy treatment and they had surgery (81.7% and 71.7% respectively). Concerning cancer related fatigue 75% of participants suffered from fatigue, nonetheless; fatigue severity among participants range from severe 53.3% to moderate 48.3%. Also, physical fatigue was a common type of fatigue among women with breast cancer. Conclusion: One of the most common complains symptom of patient with cancer is fa-tigue. Cancer related fatigue impact physical, emotional, cognitive domains of patients’. Moreover, cancer-related fatigue has undesirable effect on patients, mood, daily task per-formance, and the patient’s life.

Fatigue and associated factors among adult cancer patients receiving cancer treatment at oncology unit in Amhara region, Ethiopia

“…The overall prevalence of fatigue among adult cancer patients receiving cancer treatment was 77.3% at 95% CI: (73.1-81.1%). This study is in line with studies conducted in Iraq, 75% [11], Ireland 75% [48], South Africa 80% [49], and Addis Ababa Black Lion Hospital 74.8% [25]. This similarity is due to the fact that the pathological nature of cancer and…”

“…Once the structure and function of mitochondria are disrupted, the energy supply of cells decreases, leading to various unpleasant conditions, like fatigue, muscle wasting, reduced exercise capacity, that are due to cancer treatment [8,10]. This leads persistent worry or sense of tiredness that can happen regardless of cancer type and could be involved physically, emotionally, and cognitively, that is due to tumor or its treatment then to fatigue [11].…”