For the study, researchers in Russia analyzed multiple studies on the impact of depression on the survival rates and quality of life of women diagnosed with breast cancer between 1977 and 2018.
The findings, presented at the European Psychiatric Association Congress 2024 in Hungary, showed that across different studies, the prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients varied from 4.5 percent to 38 percent.
In patients with early-stage (stage I and II) cancer and depression, a 2-2.5-fold increase in breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality was observed.
The study found that women with non-metastatic breast cancer had a 2.5 times higher risk of death within 8-15 years.
Overall, both depression and anxiety negatively impact survival rates and reduce the quality of life of breast cancer patients.
“There are still no universal methods for screening for this mental health condition. It is likely that psychotherapy and antidepressant treatment can reduce the risk of psychological distress, but I need further research in this area,” said Professor Ilgiz G. Gataulin of the Department of Oncology Radiology and Palliative Medicine of the Kazan State Medical Academy, Russia. . ,
The findings, presented at the European Psychiatric Association Congress 2024 in Hungary, showed that across different studies, the prevalence of depression in breast cancer patients varied from 4.5 percent to 38 percent.
In patients with early-stage (stage I and II) cancer and depression, a 2-2.5-fold increase in breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality was observed.
The study found that women with non-metastatic breast cancer had a 2.5 times higher risk of death within 8-15 years.
Overall, both depression and anxiety negatively impact survival rates and reduce the quality of life of breast cancer patients.
“There are still no universal methods for screening for this mental health condition. It is likely that psychotherapy and antidepressant treatment can reduce the risk of psychological distress, but I need further research in this area,” said Professor Ilgiz G. Gataulin of the Department of Oncology Radiology and Palliative Medicine of the Kazan State Medical Academy, Russia. . ,
