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Fatigue is one of the most prevalent symptoms experienced by cancer patients (Curt, Breitbart et al. 2000, Hofman, Ryan et al. 2007, IKNL 2011, Kapoor, Singhal et al. 2015, Ream, Gargaro et al. 2015). Cancer-related fatigue can be defined as: \u2018The persistent, subjective experience of fatigue related to cancer or cancer treatment, which interferes with daily functioning\u2019 (Hofman, Ryan et al. 2007). During radiotherapy or combined chemoradiation therapy 80-99% of the patients report problems with fatigue (Curt, Breitbart et al. 2000, Hofman, Ryan et al. 2007, Kapoor, Singhal et al. 2015). The percentage of patients reporting persistent fatigue after treatment (in the rehabilitation/chronic/palliative phase) ranges between 34 and 94% (Curt, Breitbart et al. 2000, Hofman, Ryan et al. 2007, IKNL 2011). The fatigue can be caused by cancer, cancer treatment and/or a broad spectrum of physical and psychological co-morbidity (e.g. anaemia, cachexia, anxiety, sleep problems, etc.). Evaluating cancer-related fatigue and its influence on daily functioning is difficult due to the subjectivity of the measure. Since life expectancy of patients after treatment for cancer has improved, an increase has been found in the experienced burden of fatigue (Hofman, Ryan et al. 2007). Cancer-related fatigue is often not recognised until later, because of which it is often under- treated (Curt, Breitbart et al. 2000, Kapoor, Singhal et al. 2015).\u000DThe prevalence of pain is found to vary between the different illness phases of cancer patients (Portenoy 2011). Of cancer patients in the symptom-focused palliative phase, 64% experience pain. For patients treated with antitumour therapy the prevalence of pain is 59% (IKNL 2011). In a review, Deandrea et al. claim that 43% of patients undergoing cancer treatment are insufficiently treated for pain (Deandrea, Montanari et al. 2008). The main treating physician, head-and-neck/oncology nurse and psycho/social workers also contribute to dealing with this problem (see paragraphs 5.2 and 5.7).\u000DHead and neck cancer patients experience psychological and physical consequences of the disease and its treatment (IKNL 2011). Communication problems, swallowing disorders, fatigue, pain and impaired shoulder and neck mobility have a negative impact on daily activities. For patients, being physically cured is not the end of the story; the ultimate goal of medical-rehabilitative treatment is to return to a life without complaints and having a meaningful role in society (IKNL 2011). In resuming daily activities patients receive support from an occupational therapist. The occupational therapy that is offered to the head and neck cancer patient population of the Netherlands Cancer Institute is embedded in a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. The benefits of a multidisciplinary medical specialised oncological rehabilitation programme are discussed in paragraph 5.1.\u000D5.6.2 Detection and specification of problems with daily functioning\u000DProblems with daily functioning can be detected by all members of the oncological team at the Netherlands Cancer Institute. Before referral to the rehabilitation specialist of the head and neck rehabilitation programme, it is important that any primarily medically treatable causes of fatigue, pain and/or functional impairments are counted out by the main treating physician (IKNL 2011). After referral to rehabilitation, the oncology nurse and rehabilitation specialist map out the patient\u2019s care needs in terms of daily functioning and, where necessary, enlist the patient for occupational therapy interventions.\u000DWithin the Netherlands Cancer Institute the most important problems in daily functioning are specified by the occupational therapist, using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The COPM is a patient-centred measuring instrument aimed at charting changes through\u000D130\u000D


































































































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