Identifying variables associated with the course of fatigue among cancer patients during adjuvant and curative treatment

BACKGROUND: Variables associated with selfreported fatigue among breast cancer patients have been reported in other studies. However, there is much less known about the variables associated with fatigue among other cancer diagnoses. The aim of the present study was to identify variables associated with the course of fatigue among patients with different cancer diagnosis during adjuvant/curative treatment. METHOD: Patients (n = 306) over the age of 18 years, diagnosed with breast, colorectal, prostate, testicle cancer or lymphoma and scheduled for adjuvant and/or curative treatment at the Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen were consecutively included in a randomized controlled intervention study (RCT). The RCT aimed at exploring the psychosocial and physical effects of an individual stress management intervention (I) in two steps compared to a control group (C). Fatigue was assessed at inclusion (T1), 6 weeks, 4 and 8 month post‐inclusion with the Chalder's Fatigue Questionnaire (FQ). Medical/ demographic data were collected from patient medical records. RESULTS: Changes in mean levels of fatigue over time in patients will be examined by means of a Linear Mixed Model and the result will be presented at the conference. Associated variables of interest are diagnosis, adjuvant/curative treatments, co‐morbidity and receiving individual stress management or not. CONCLUSIONS: Not applicable RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS: Not applicable CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Not applicable.