Abstract
Purpose : To compare fatigue in breast cancer patients and non-breast cancer patients, and to clarify the characteristics of fatigue in these two patient groups. Subjects and Methods : We carried out a questionnaire survey of 126 breast cancer patients and 76 non-breast cancer patients. All subjects were outpatients of A hospital. The survey items included those related to fatigue, history of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and exercise therapy, Performance Status (PS), etc. The degree of fatigue was assessed using the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS). Results : Among the breast cancer patients, significantly higher CFS scores were observed in the PS ?? 1 group (p< 0.005), the painful patient group (p< 0.05), the insomniac patient group (p< 0.001), the feeling-alone patient group (p< 0.05), the breathing-problem patient group (p< 0.05), and the restlessness patient group (p< 0.005). Among the non-breast cancer patients, significantly higher CFS scores were observed in the PS ?? 1 group (p< 0.001), the painful patient group (p< 0.005), and the diarrhea patient group (p< 0.05). When the scores on the CFS were compared between breast cancer patients and non-breast cancer patients and analyzed by disorder, a significant difference of the CFS score was observed only in the patient group with insomnia. Conclusion : It is evident that breast cancer patients show profound fatigue, not only in relation to somatic symptoms, but also in relation to psychotic symptoms, such as feeling alone. Among these symptoms, it is suggested that particular care may be necessary for patients with insomnia.
