Fatigue, pain, and physical function

It is now generally recognized that cancer is a chronic condition. Like many other chronic conditions, once issues of immediate survival or acute exacerbations are resolved, quality as well as quantity of life assumes greater relevance. This is true for the patient, their family, and the treatment team as they contend with the present and plan for the future. Quality of life is not a tangible concept. It is multidimensional and comprised of physical, psychological and social components. The specific factors that contribute to an individual's quality of life vary. Quality of life is influenced by symptoms such as pain or fatigue, psychological state such as depressed mood or anxieties, physical dysfunction, and occupational and recreational difficulties or opportunities. For individuals with cancer, work is an important aspect of the quality of life [1, 2]. Work becomes even more important as long-term survivorship becomes a reality for many.