Regardless of race, results showed decreased levels of self-reported fatigue among breast cancer survivors, and sustained and improved energy after participation in the intervention program, according to Appling. Black women had slightly higher fatigue scores across all four data collection periods compared to white women, but the difference was not statistically significant.

"In our group of breast cancer survivors, race did not play a role in fatigue improvement," she said. "Overall, women with the common symptom of persistent fatigue benefited equally from this group-based holistic program."

Appling believes since fatigue among breast cancer survivors is a common shared experience, regardless of one's race, the intervention would have a positive impact.

"Breast cancer survivors with fatigue took immediate comfort from knowing that they were not alone in battling this problem," she said. "Patients need to know that they can take positive steps to help alleviate this symptom."

Source: Mercy Medical Center