Psychological and biological aspects of chronic fatigue among long-time survivors of cancer

Survivors of cancer constitute a large part of the general population and many of them experience severe mental and physical after-effects of the disease. The main goal of this project is to investigate different aspects of often experienced psychological problems, like chronic fatigue (CF), depression, anxiety and sexual problems, how they may be related, and possible biological correlates. Others have found that CF and depression occur significantly more frequent in samples of long-time survivors of can cer than in the general population. CF seems to be strongly associated with symptoms of depression, and also with anxiety. In this project, we will examine possible relationships between CF, depression, anxiety, stress reactions and sexuality in our sampl e of testicular cancer survivors (N=1453). In our female Hodgkin’s disease survivor sample (N=100), we will also examine possible biological correlates of these problems. The two samples have completed different questionnaires that measure CF (FQ), anxiet y and depression (HADS), various stress reactions (IES) and sexual functioning/activity (BSFI & SAQ). Blood samples are obtained from the Hodgkin’s survivors, and we will examine possible associations between levels of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines ( immunological parameters) in serum, CF symptoms and other experienced problems like depression or anxiety. Knowledge on when and how cytokines are associated with changes of behaviour may trigger the development of new and personalised treatment strategie s for cancer patients and survivors. Comparing results from clinical populations to general population data has been emphasized internationally, but the relationship between CF and sexual problems/satisfaction has never been investigated in the general po pulation. To better be able to understand what’s specific for cancer patients and survivors, we have also included such general population based study in this project (N=2528).