Melatonin for the Management of Cancer-Related Fatigue in Breast Cancer: An Integrative Review

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. The treatment of breast cancer has multiple side effects, including cancer-related fatigue (CRF). While physical activity has the strongest evidence in treating CRF, it is limited by a patient's functional status, disease, and safety concerns. Several studies have demonstrated that exogenous melatonin has improved depressive symptoms, insomnia, and sleep quality in breast cancer patients. However, few have focused on the effects of melatonin on CRF. This review explores the effect of melatonin on CRF in breast cancer patients. A review of current literature was conducted by searching PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. One hundred articles resulted, and after applying exclusion criteria, five articles were chosen for this review. Results showed a significant improvement in CRF in the studies utilizing 5 mg and 18 mg of melatonin in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Melatonin can be considered an option for patients with breast cancer experiencing CRF, especially in the context of patients with physical limitations where exercise may not be an option. Additional research is needed to further evaluate the role and ideal dose of melatonin in the management of CRF.