Impact of Fatigue in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Patients
Core Research Area
Bio-psychosocial Research
Principal Investigator
Jennnifer Jones
Co-Investigators
Doris Howell, Christopher Longo, Karin Olsen, Philippe Bedard, Eitan Amir
As larger numbers of patients are now surviving cancer, previously unrecognized chronic morbidity has emerged as a significant problem impacting on the daily functioning and quality of life of survivors. Persistent cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has been documented as one of the most prominent and disabling chronic symptoms following successful cancer treatment (Lawrence et al., 2004). However, very little is known about experience of CRF in post-treatment cancer survivors including the day to day impact on employment and productivity at work, their ability to engage in social activities, and their use of health care and supportive care resources. This pilot project seeks to measure the long term impact of cancer related fatigue (CRF) on work status, productivity, and absenteeism, social functioning, and health care utilization in breast and colorectal cancer survivors. Understanding the impact of CRF will provide important information on potential outcomes for interventional research and will provide valuable information for policy related decisions in supportive care programs in cancer survivorship. Approximately 300 colorectal and breast cancer survivors (1-5 years post-treatment) will be recruited from follow-up clinics at the Princess Margaret and asked to complete a brief survey to assess: levels of fatigue; work status and productivity/absenteesim; social difficulties; and health care utilization. Participants with and without significant fatigue will be compared.
Study Contact
Jennifer Jones 416-581-8603 or email at jennifer.jones@uhn.ca
