A majority of these patients said fatigue affected their lives more than any other side effect of disease and treatment. The good news is that there are steps that can help manage and minimize the effects of fatigue. Diet and nutrition, exercise and vitamin and mineral supplements and prescription medications may help counter the effects of cancer-related fatigue. Hemoglobin, a complex iron protein in your red blood cells, transports oxygen in your blood to all parts of your body. Cancer and cancer-related treatments can cause the number of red blood cells to be reduced, which can in turn lower the amount of oxygen getting to your body.
Anemia is the result of a lack of enough hemoglobin.
This is why it is important for cancer patients to have their hemoglobin checked regularly and follow nutritional advice to make sure enough iron and vitamin rich food and supplements are being consumed. Some early warning signs include a change in bowel and bladder habits, a non-healing sore, unusual bleeding or discharge, a thickening or lump in the breast, testicle or elsewhere, difficulties with swallowing, a change in a wart or mole, or nagging cough or hoarseness. The success of treatments is often directly related to early intervention, which is why screening tests such as mammograms, hemocult tests and pap smears are so important and save lives.