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Maya Razmi
Understanding depression in cancer patients is crucial for holistic care. This study highlights the prevalence of depression using the Beck Depression Inventory-II, emphasizing the need for integrated mental health support in oncology.
Oftentimes, when we think of oncology research, we think of novel diagnostics and therapeutics. However, cancer is not just a disease, but an illness. Cancer patients are undergoing an unusually stressful part of their life. From treatments and finances to manage, to maintaining familial relationships, they have unique psychosocial needs. As a result, cancer patients in particular are susceptible to depression, with a combined average of between 8 and 24% in a particular metastudy, which can in turn impact not only a patient’s ability to enjoy day-to-day life, but also how they adhere to treatment.
A recent study used a quantitative cross-sectional investigation at An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH) and applied the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a 21-question survey that covers a range of symptoms, to assess depression among cancer patients. Using this survey, researchers studied the prevalence of depression in cancer patients. Depression affects people differently. At its mildest, patients feel low in spirit. However, severe depression can be debilitating, with some patients feeling suicidal. The study found that 38.4% of cancer patients had minimal depression, 22.5% had mild depression, 22.1% had moderate depression, and 17.0% had severe depression. Understanding how common depression is amongst cancer patients allows healthcare providers to focus more on the mental health of their patients, allowing for holistic treatment and a better patient experience.
After collecting demographic and clinical data from 271 cancer patients and analyzing factors behind depression, the team found that depression was significantly associated with older age, lower educational levels, poor socioeconomic status, and smoking habits among cancer patients. Even outside of cancer patients, depression has been found to be correlated with income and education in multiple studies. Often, physicians are primarily focused on the physical symptoms of cancer, but identifying risk factors for depression allows physicians to prioritize and tailor mental health support for patients.
Given that depression is so prevalent amongst cancer patients, fostering a holistic healthcare environment where mental health care is seamlessly integrated into the overall treatment plan can help improve quality of life. Researchers recommended interventions to improve care, including reporting symptoms to available psychosocial personnel and involving a social worker or psychiatric practitioner when breaking bad news to patients. More broadly, understanding depression prevalence amongst cancer patients can allow policymakers and healthcare providers to create systemic changes to ensure mental health is given equal priority to physical health in oncological care.
As technologies to target cancer continue to evolve, we must ensure that we don’t forget the crucial mental health care that patients desperately need. By identifying the psychological and physiological factors that contribute to depression in these individuals, healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions that address both the emotional and physical aspects of their illness. This holistic approach not only improves the quality of life for cancer patients but also offers much-needed support to their families, ensuring that they have the resources and assistance necessary to navigate the challenges of cancer treatment and recovery. Ultimately, a comprehensive understanding of depression in cancer patients paves the way for more compassionate, effective, and personalized care, fostering better outcomes for all involved.
Edited by Charlotte Boyd
Works Cited
Battat, M., Omair, N., WildAli, M. A., Alkaissi, A., Amer, R., Koni, A. A., Salameh, H. T., & Zyoud, S. H. (2024). Assessment of depression symptoms among cancer patients: A cross-sectional study from a developing country. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 11934. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62935-x
Freeman, A., Tyrovolas, S., Koyanagi, A., Chatterji, S., Leonardi, M., Ayuso-Mateos, J. L., Tobiasz-Adamczyk, B., Koskinen, S., Rummel-Kluge, C., & Haro, J. M. (2016). The role of socio-economic status in depression: Results from the COURAGE (aging survey in Europe). BMC Public Health, 16(1), 1098. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3638-0
Krebber, A. M. H., Buffart, L. M., Kleijn, G., Riepma, I. C., De Bree, R., Leemans, C. R., Becker, A., Brug, J., Van Straten, A., Cuijpers, P., & Verdonck‐de Leeuw, I. M. (2014). Prevalence of depression in cancer patients: A meta‐analysis of diagnostic interviews and self‐report instruments. Psycho-Oncology, 23(2), 121–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3409
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