Combating Cancer Related Fatigue in Castro Valley

If you are fighting cancer, chances are you're also fighting fatigue. Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment, and it can make everyday activities – like talking on the phone or shopping for groceries –
difficult.

The fatigue that comes with cancer, called cancer-related fatigue, is different from fatigue of daily life because it persists and often doesn’t get better even after rest. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), cancer-related fatigue can:

• Affect you differently from one day to the next
• Be overwhelming and make it hard for you to feel
• Make it hard for you to be with friends and family
• Make normal activities difficult
• Make it harder for you to follow your cancer treatment plan

Reducing Cancer Related Fatigue

"People feel wiped out and don’t know what to attribute it to” says Kimberly Thompson, BS Kinesiology, ACS Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer. “Cancer-related fatigue is very real and there are self-care strategies that can reduce it and help people cope.”

Thompson is scheduled to share those strategies during a free public workshop titled "Combating Cancer Related Fatigue" which will be held on September 13^th from 6–8 pm at the Eden Medical Center, Medical Office Building, 2nd Floor, 20101 Lake Chabot Road. The workshop will begin with a discussion about stress and how it effects the human body. Participants will then be led through very basic stretches, self-massage, breath work techniques and mindfulness practices for restoring energy reserves.

"I want for people to walk away with simple tools to deal with stress, fatigue, and sleep disturbances” says Thompson. “The practices I teach have strong evidence that support their value to anyone with cancer, regardless of type or stage, and are beneficial to all age groups.

Thompson has worked with the Cancer Survivorship Program of Stanford Valley Care since 2013 and has previously partnered with Cancer Support Community, San Francisco Bay Area chapter - a co-sponsor of this event.

Come Prepared to Learn

This workshop is different from a support group. It will focus on teaching participants about cancer-related fatigue, techniques to reduce it and cope with it.

You will learn:

• The possible medical causes of fatigue such as electrolyte imbalance, breathing problems, or anemia
• How patterns of rest and activity affect fatigue as well as the difference between fatigue and depression.

Caregivers are also welcome, and all are encouraged to register by calling 925-933-0107.

Connect to Community Resources

Finally, this workshop will connect participants to community resources, including:

• Eden Medical Center’s Cancer Support Group is held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month from 6–8 pm. This drop-in group is free and available to people with cancer and their loved ones, regardless of where they receive treatment. For more information call (925) 933-0107
• Eden Medical Center’s Oncology Rehabilitation Program is staffed with therapists who have a thorough understanding of the unique rehabilitation needs of cancer survivors. Through this program you can learn techniques to help increase your strength and energy, alleviate pain and fatigue, and improve daily function and quality of life. Rehab can help with balance and gait problems, limited range of motion affecting the spine or extremities, speech, cognitive, or swallowing disorders, lymphedema and pain. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Outpatient Rehab Facility at 510-727-2800