Experience, impact and management of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in teenagers and young adults (TYA): grant development and dissemination project

Fatigue, a severe tiredness that interferes with a person’s usual ability to function, is the most common symptom suffered by teenagers and young adults (TYA) with cancer. It is a particularly distressing symptom for young people as it makes it harder to be independent or to be in education or work. Fatigue often continues for years after the end of cancer treatment. Relief of fatigue would greatly improve young patients’ quality of life and, particularly for this young group, could have long-term health and economic benefits.

Fatigue is often managed by GPs, especially after cancer treatment has finished. Although in older people, exercise and education seem to be helpful, there has not been any research focusing on finding a treatment that works for fatigue in young cancer patients.

Our programme of research is trying to develop a treatment for fatigue in TYA cancer patients that can be used in primary care. Three studies have recently been completed: a review of related existing research, an electronic survey of TYA cancer patients across the UK focusing on their experience of fatigue and its treatment, and a study where we worked closely with young patients over many months to design their ideal fatigue treatment.

This project aims to take this work forward by funding the time to apply for a research grant for the next study in the programme. This will be a ‘feasibility study’, establishing how best to run a future large research project to find out whether the fatigue treatment works effectively and saves money. It would also help increase the usefulness of the completed studies, by allowing publication of three more papers in healthcare journals and a presentation at a national conference.

Amount awarded: £13 268