If you’ve been through our clinic, you may have had the opportunity to meet Dr. Martin Chasen, an oncologist and palliative medicine physician with a progressive view on cancer rehabilitation, survivorship, and fatigue management.

Recently, Peter Laneas, our Advocacy and Outreach Communications Manager, sat down with Dr. Chasen to learn more about his journey, what drives his work, and his insights on managing cancer-related fatigue.

A Career Spanning Continents

Dr. Chasen’s medical path began in South Africa, where he completed medical school and specialized in internal medicine and medical oncology. Early in his career he was struck by the multi-dimensional challenges faced by people living with and beyond cancer.

In the early 2000s, he pursued additional training in palliative care, recognizing the importance of treating the whole person, not just the disease. In 2004 he moved to Canada, first joining McGill University, where he helped create a comprehensive Cancer Nutrition and Rehabilitation Program. In 2009 he brought this model to Ottawa, expanding access to a truly integrative approach that addresses physical, nutritional, and psychosocial needs.

Why Cancer-Related Fatigue Matters

Throughout his work Dr. Chasen noticed a consistent theme: patients who were profoundly tired—long after treatment ended. “Cancer-related fatigue is still misunderstood,” he explains. “It doesn’t show up on a blood test like anemia. People sometimes dismiss it, even in healthcare. But it’s real, and it can be life-altering.”

He stresses that fatigue isn’t simply a side effect of chemotherapy. It’s multifactorial—linked to treatment, surgery, emotional stress, and the body’s overall response to illness. Left unrecognized, it can impact every part of daily life.

Evidence-Based Steps to Manage Fatigue

Dr. Chasen emphasizes a whole-person strategy that blends medical oversight with lifestyle habits:

• Exercise: Start small—“even a minute or two,” he says—and gradually build to about 30 minutes of activity three times a week. Regular movement preserves muscle mass, boosts mood, and reduces fatigue.
  
• Nutrition: “Food is fuel. Balanced meals with adequate protein, healthy carbohydrates, and fats help the body recover and maintain energy.”
  
• Sleep & Routine: Consistent sleep, social interaction, and maintaining daily rhythms are crucial for restoring energy.
  

Equally important is validation: “Caregivers and clinicians must listen and believe patients,” Dr. Chasen notes. “Acknowledging that cancer-related fatigue is real is the first step toward meaningful support.”

Supporting the Whole Person

Dr. Chasen champions a team-based model—physicians, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers working together. This coordinated care helps patients and families understand that fatigue is not a personal failing but a recognized, treatable condition.

Get to know Dr. Chasen and Peter even better in this article welcoming both of them to the team!