Get involved and help Queenslanders living with cancer by volunteering. Volunteers are the heart of our organisation. Join us to make a greater impact and connect with like-minded people.
Every contribution helps support those living with cancer. Whether a one-off donation or monthly gift, your support ensures funding stability for long-term goals and future generations.
Leave a legacy by including a gift in your Will, starting a tribute page for a loved one, or funding a research grant for early-career cancer researchers driving clinical innovations.
Organise a fundraising event in your community, either as a team or an individual. You can join one of our existing fundraising events or you might like to come up with your own way.
When organisations work together, we can have a greater impact for every Queenslander going through cancer and help amplify our message for all Australians.
However you get involved, you’re making a direct impact on the lives of Queenslanders affected by cancer. See the results of what we’ve all achieved.
Fatigue is a feeling of physical, emotional, and/or mental exhaustion. Cancer related fatigue is different from regular fatigue because it doesn’t go away once you get some sleep or rest. Most people dealing with cancer experience some level fatigue.
Our team is here to listen and support you.
Your experience of exhaustion and cancer will be unique to you – and it can change throughout your treatment. Your fatigue symptoms during the early diagnosis period can differ from what you experience during treatment and may change again in your recovery period. You’ll most often notice fatigue while your cancer is being treated and afterwards, but your energy levels will usually improve over time.
Cancer related fatigue symptoms can include:
Screening questionnaires and body analysis tests will guide your healthcare team to best measure your cancer related fatigue. They’ll want to know things like when your fatigue started, how it has changed, and what impact it’s had on your day-to-day life.
Blood, urine and heart function tests will determine your blood cell count, hormone levels, kidney and liver function. Sometimes, conditions like anaemia or low hormone levels can cause fatigue, and they can be identified and treated.
Fatigue during and after treatment can vary. These guidelines can help you rate your experience when talking to your doctors about treatment:
Your GP can refer you to health professionals like an occupational therapist, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist to help manage your fatigue. Costs vary for these services, but you might be eligible for five free visits a year under a GP-referred General Practitioner Management Plan.
Other tips to help you manage cancer fatigue include:
Exhaustion and cancer do often align. This is a common complaint while someone is going through their cancer treatment, and for some time after. Cancer exhaustion and fatigue usually improve over time.
Cancer related fatigue is felt even after the person has slept or had good rest. For regular fatigue, the body usually feels rejuvenated after sleep or rest.
Cancer alone does not cause fatigue. Cancer fatigue is often a combination of the cancer, the method of treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy), medications, and treatment side effects such as low blood cells (anaemia). Also, the stress of treatment and not eating or sleeping well can add to feeling exhausted.
Cancer fatigue is experienced for many people going through their cancer treatment, and for some time after treatment has finished. It takes time for cancer related fatigue to reduce and for energy levels to improve, and unfortunately for some it can take years.
