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I want to know the symptoms Arrow I have pancreatic cancer Arrow Someone I know has pancreatic cancer Arrow
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and support?
I want to know the symptoms Arrow I have pancreatic cancer Arrow Someone I know has pancreatic cancer Arrow

Dealing with pancreatic cancer fatigue in your daily life

Fatigue can have a big impact on your daily life, and make activities like household tasks, driving or seeing friends and family harder to do.

What's in the 'Fatigue and pancreatic cancer' section?

Key facts

  • There are lots of practical ways to help manage cancer fatigue.
  • If fatigue makes it harder to work, Macmillan Cancer Support and Citizens Advice have expert information and advice on financial matters and benefits.
  • It may not be safe for you to drive if you feel tired or sleepy. You may need to tell the DVLA, or the DVA in Northern Ireland, if your medicine or the cancer affect your driving.
  • Jobs like cooking, cleaning and shopping can use up a lot of energy, so ask for help with these. Or find ways to save energy, like shopping online instead of at the supermarket.

Will having fatigue stop me from working?

Having fatigue can make work difficult. For example, you may not be able to concentrate properly, or may struggle to travel into work. Talk to your employer about changes they can make so you can carry on working. This will depend on the kind of job you have, but might include:

  • working part time
  • a flexible start or finish time
  • changing your duties
  • taking more breaks
  • working from a different place.

If fatigue is affecting your work, it can impact on your finances. It’s important to try to deal with any money issues so that they don’t become something you worry about.

Read more about work and money.

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“I’m fortunate that my colleagues understand and support me throughout the day, as I still have to have a rest in the work’s first aid room every morning – without that I couldn’t manage.”

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"Because of the fatigue, I've had to cut my hours at work because I can't do full time anymore. It's just too much for me."

Can I drive with fatigue?

It may not be safe for you to drive if you feel tired or sleepy. Some medicines or treatments can make you tired and affect your driving. You must tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), or the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) if you live in Northern Ireland, about your cancer if:

  • your cancer affects your driving or
  • the side effects of your medicine could affect your driving or
  • your doctor says you may not be fit to drive.

Ask your doctor whether your cancer or treatment will affect your driving. You can find out more at gov.uk, or at nidirect if you live in Northern Ireland. You may need to tell your insurance company as well.

Find out more about getting help with transport, including the Blue Badge scheme.

Household tasks

Tasks like cooking, cleaning and shopping can use up a lot of energy. Try to spread these tasks out over the week, and work out which is most important and needs doing soonest. Don’t use up all your energy on household tasks so that you have no energy left for things you enjoy.

What can make household tasks easier?

  • Ask family and friends to help with household tasks. They can be a big help and you might find they like helping.
  • You may be able to get practical support from your local council’s social services. Speak to your GP about how to get this support.
  • An occupational therapist (OT) can help you find ways to do household tasks more easily.
  • Try online shopping, rather than going out to the shops.
  • Use ready-made meals, or make large amounts when you do cook, and freeze portions for future meals.
  • Use things that can save energy when you are cooking. For example, use a food processor to chop vegetables, or buy prepared food such as chopped vegetables and grated cheese.
  • Try energy saving things, like sitting down when you dress, shower or prepare food. OTs can provide stools for this.
  • Drying yourself can use a lot of energy. Wrap up in a towelling dressing gown instead.
  • Before you start any task, make sure you have everything you need ready, rather than having to go backwards and forwards to get things.
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“Giving friends and family jobs to do helps them feel they can do something positive.”

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“I felt guilty that I couldn't do what I used to do such as housework and cooking. You have to learn to put yourself first during these times and rely on the support of others.”

Seeing friends and family

Seeing friends and family can be important. They may provide some normality and distraction from the cancer and fatigue. They can also be a big support. But fatigue can affect your social life. For example, you might get tired very quickly, or find it difficult to go out to see people.

Tips for staying socially active

  • Plan your time so that you see people when you have more energy.
  • Be honest with people (and yourself) about what you can manage.
  • If you find going out tiring, ask friends and family to visit you at home or keep outings short.
  • If you find it tiring to see people in person, you could have short phone or video conversations, send text messages, or use social media. You could set up an email or WhatsApp group to update several people at the same time.
  • Plan activities that you can do with children while sitting down, such as crafts, jigsaws or reading.
  • Talk to your medical team about any big events, such as weddings. They may be able to make temporary changes to your medicine to allow you to go to them more easily.
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“When my partner was on chemo we soon worked out what his better days would be and this helped us plan ahead. Friends were more than happy to fall in with this.”

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Quotemarks Created with Sketch.

“I didn’t have the energy to see friends, or travel far. I found it best to acknowledge it and don’t fight it.”

Speak to our nurses

If you have any questions about pancreatic cancer and fatigue, speak to our specialist nurses on our free Support Line.

Speak to our nurses
Member of specialist nurse team

Questions to ask your doctor or nurse

  • How can I get help at work or with my finances?
  • Can an occupational therapist help me with household tasks?
  • Is it safe for me to drive?
  • What support is available locally to help me cope with my cancer and fatigue?

More resources

What is an occupational therapist (OT)?

Read more

Find out more about how symptoms and side effects of pancreatic cancer can be managed?

Read more

Order free booklets and leaflets about pancreatic cancer

Read more

References

  • Bootsma T.I., Schellekens M.P.J., van Woezik R.A.M., van der Lee M.L., Slatman J. Experiencing and responding to chronic cancer-related fatigue: A meta-ethnography of qualitative research. Psycho-Oncology [Internet].  01 Feb 2020 29(2):241-250. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.5213
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). Cancer-related fatigue. Version 2.2022. [online] Available from: https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=3&id=1424
  • Spichiger E, Rieder E, Müller-Fröhlich C, Kesselring A. Fatigue in patients undergoing chemotherapy, their self-care and the role of health professionals: a qualitative study.Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2012 Apr;16(2):165-71. doi: 10.1016/j.ejon.2011.05.002.

Updated October 2025

To be reviewed October 2028

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