Still, cancer itself is a lot on the body and mind, and it can bring about plenty of stress and worries. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed can make it difficult to eat well, feel rested and keep up your energy — all leading towards fatigue.
What exactly is fatigue?
Everyone describes it a bit differently. Some men say they are dog-tired, drained or weary all the time. Others say they are completely knackered and exhausted most of the day.
The key difference is that fatigue goes beyond occasional tiredness. It’s like your energy has been completely zapped — making it harder to sleep, work, hang out with friends and family, and get on with everyday life. It's not usually the kind of sleepiness that you can push through by getting a good night of sleep, or with a cup of coffee. This feeling of being drained can linger for a long time, sometimes even months or years. Simply just being tired, on the other hand, usually goes away after resting up a bit.
People describe this type of fatigue as ‘whole-body tiredness’.
How common is it?
Almost everyone diagnosed with cancer experiences fatigue, as cancer itself is a lot on the body. Fatigue is so common, that about 3 in 4 men with prostate cancer go through it.
What can you do to pump up your energy?
Eating well before, during, and after treatment is key. Keeping active with an exercise program could also help you improve. To help you get started, talk to your doctor or care team about having a nutrition and workout plan created that will work just for you.
