Longitudinal Investigation of Cancer-related Fatigue and Its Treatment (LIFT Project)

Longitudinal Investigation of Cancer-related Fatigue and Its Treatment (LIFT Project)

The LIFT project aims to thoroughly investigate the current status of health care in Germany regarding cancer-related fatigue from the institutional, professionals' and patients' perspective.

The LIFT project aims to thoroughly investigate the current status of health care in Germany regarding fatigue from the institutional, professionals', and patients' perspective. With a multimodal approach including a comprehensive assessment of fatigue management and support offered by different institutions (uncertified hospitals, uncertified oncological practices, counselling units, certified cancer centers; n=350), a survey and qualitative interviews among practicing physicians ("Niedergelassene Ärzte"), hospital physicians, practicing psychotherapists with psycho-oncological focus, psycho-oncologists at hospitals, nurses at certified cancer centers and nurses at other hospitals (n=420), and a longitudinal clinical study among cancer patients (n=1400) as well as two focus groups with patient representatives (each n=6), the characteristics, patterns, and potential effects or shortcomings of the current fatigue management will be investigated. Furthermore, factors associated with patients' and health care professionals' knowledge about fatigue will be examined.

Concerning the longitudinal clinical study assessing the patients' perspective, online or paper-based questionnaires on socio-demographic, clinical and patient reported outcomes will be sent to the patients 6,9,12 and 24 months after diagnosis. Moreover, detailed data on screening, diagnosis and counseling as well as therapies offered and administered to reduce fatigue will be surveyed, as well as the patients' state of knowledge, perception and prevailing needs regarding fatigue. Tumor and cancer therapy data will be extracted from the Epidemiological Cancer Registry.

The results of the LIFT project shall provide a basis to identify and overcome shortcomings in the actual fatigue management in Germany, and, to eventually ameliorate this severe burden in cancer patients and survivors.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 18 years of age
• Newly diagnosed with a primary tumor of one of the following malignant neoplasms: colon (C18), rectum (C19-20), liver (C22), pancreas (C25), lung (C33-34), malignant melanoma (C43), breast (C50, only female), cervix (C53), endometrium (C54.1), ovaries (C56), prostate (C61), kidney (C64), bladder (C67), thyroid gland (C73), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (C82-88), leukemia (C91-C95)
• Having received or receiving at enrolment at least one of the following treatments: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted or immune therapy
• Able to understand and follow the study protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Carcinoma in situ
• Any additional malignant or unclear neoplasm before or since time of diagnosis of the considered primary tumor, except unspecified neoplasm of skin (C44)