CANCER-RELATED fatigue and depression in survivors are strongly associated with a drop in recreational physical activities and overall quality of life, according to data presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025. The findings draw attention to a critical post-treatment burden, particularly among women, who were significantly more likely than men to report both fatigue and depression.
Researchers analyzed responses from 1,555 cancer survivors in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2020. Their analysis represents the experiences of approximately 25 million cancer survivors across the United States. Survivors who reported cancer-related fatigue were 86% more likely to reduce their moderate physical activities such as brisk walking, light gardening, or casual biking. Depression was similarly impactful, associated with a 65% reduction in both moderate and vigorous activities including running and hiking.
Simo Du, presenting the data from NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, explained that fatigue was one of the most common and persistent complaints among patients. Unlike regular tiredness, cancer-related fatigue does not resolve with rest and can significantly impact daily functioning. Depression added further burden, particularly among men, who were more likely to report thoughts of self-harm despite lower overall depression scores compared to women.
The data also revealed a notable sex difference: female survivors were 69% more likely to experience fatigue and 58% more likely to experience depression than male survivors. Researchers suggest this may be due to physiological differences, such as slower drug clearance and heightened immune responses in women, as well as psychosocial factors like caregiving responsibilities.
Du emphasized the need for targeted interventions such as tailored exercise programs and behavioral health support. Future studies will explore biological mechanisms underlying cancer-related fatigue and test gender-responsive intervention strategies.
Reference:
Du S et al. Cancer-related Fatigue and Depression May Lead to Decrease in Recreational Physical Activities and Quality of Life in Survivors. 2025. Available at: https://aacr.ent.box.com/s/ktsyks4ew4kxc3qlzbjbk51u65ln4hn4. Last accessed: 9 May 2025.
