Understanding fatigue after primary breast cancer treatment

A study of fatigue experienced after treatment for breast cancer 

Fatigue after breast cancer treatment can be relentless. The kind that makes everyday tasks feel harder than they should. But we still don’t fully understand what causes it or how to treat it effectively 

In this study, the researchers will explore if cancer and its treatments change the way the brain reads signals from the body, such as temperature or your heartbeat. And if that could make everyday activities feel more tiring than they should. 

Understanding this better could help explain why fatigue affects some women more than others. And why exercise can feel especially difficult for some. This insight is especially valuable because regular exercise is recommended to help manage cancer-related fatigue. 

That knowledge could help improve support and make recovery feel more manageable for people affected by breast cancer. 

Name of project lead: Jeanne Dekerle 

Job title: Lecturer in Exercise Psychophysiology 

Organisation: University of Brighton 

Email address: CRFStudy@brighton.ac.uk  

The team are recruiting women both with and without experience of breast cancer. To take part, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a woman, assigned female at birth 
• Be aged 18 to 60 
• Have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and hearing 
• Live in the UK and speak fluent English 

For people with a lived experience of breast cancer, you must: 

• Have completed treatment for primary breast cancer (not including ongoing hormone treatment) in the last 24 months and are experiencing fatigue 
• Remain under the current care of your breast team and be registered with a GP 

You won’t be able to take part if you: 

• Are pregnant or breast feeding 
• Have a separate condition or take medication that may affect fatigue, body perception or physical performance 
• Have untreated anaemia or an underactive thyroid 
• Have a history of substance abuse 
• Are currently taking part in another research study 

Fatigue is one of the most common and frustrating effects of breast cancer treatment. But we still don’t fully understand it. 

By taking part in the study and sharing your experience you’ll help researchers get closer to answers. Your involvement could shape future research and improve how fatigue is managed, including how exercise programmes are designed for people affected by breast cancer. 

If you choose to take part, you’ll be asked to attend a one-off visit in Brighton, lasting around 3 hours (this can be split into two visits if needed). Travel costs can be reimbursed. 

At the visit, you will: 

• Provide a saliva sample (you’ll be asked to fast beforehand) 
• Complete questionnaires about your fatigue and experiences 
• Have a short physical assessment (such as height and body composition) 
• Take part in low-intensity physical tasks 

You can take breaks at any time. And you can stop if you want to. 

With your consent, the researchers will also collect some information about your diagnosis and treatment from your medical records. 

If you’d like, you can receive a summary of your personal results after taking part.  

To find out more about the study or to express your interest in taking part, please email the team at CRFStudy@brighton.ac.uk. 

31 July 2026