(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Depression can affect a cancer patient's likelihood
of survival, according to a new study that highlights the need for systematic
screening of psychological distress and subsequent treatment.
To determine the effects of depression on cancer patients' disease progression
and survival, Jillian Satin, MA, of the University of British Columbia in
Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues analyzed 26 studies, with a total of 9,417
patients, which examined the effects of depression on patients' cancer
progression and survival.
"We found an increased risk of death in patients who report more depressive
symptoms than others and also in patients who have been diagnosed with a
depressive disorder compared to patients who have not," Satin was quoted as
saying.
In
the combined studies, the death rates were up to 25 percent higher in patients
experiencing depressive symptoms and 39 percent higher in patients diagnosed
with major or minor depression. The increased risks remained even after
considering patients' other clinical characteristics that might affect survival,
indicating that depression may actually play a part in shortening survival.
The authors said, however, that additional research is needed before any
conclusions can be reached. The authors added that their analysis combined
results across different tumor types, so future studies should look at the
effects of depression on different kinds of cancer.
The researchers did not find a clear association between depression and cancer
progression. They noted that the actual risk of death associated with depression
in cancer patients is still small, so patients should not feel that they must
maintain a positive attitude to beat their disease. Nevertheless, the study
indicates that it is important for physicians to regularly screen cancer
patients for depression and to provide appropriate treatment.
SOURCE: Cancer, November 15, 2009
