Cancer patients receive poor treatment for depression

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One out of 12 cancer patients suffer from depression after receiving treatment, according to researc...

One out of 12 cancer patients suffer from depression after receiving treatment, according to researchers in Scotland. The study, joint-funded by Cancer Research UK and the NHS, also found that most of these patients are not receiving effective treatment for their depression.

"Depression is an important and neglected problem for cancer patients, even those who have a good prognosis," said the study's lead researcher, Dr Michael Sharpe of the University of Edinburgh.

"Our research shows that over half of cancer patients who are suffering from major depression are being missed and even when the condition is diagnosed most patients are not being given effective treatment."

Over 5,000 patients were screened during the research. First, patients completed a questionnaire and were interviewed by a specialist nurse to determine whether they were depressed. Half of the patients found to be suffering from depression were then offered additional weekly meetings with an oncology nurse - the other half received usual care.

According to a report published in the British Journal of Cancer, after six months, 40% fewer patients who had been seeing a nurse were still suffering from major depression.

The nurse responsible for providing treatment during the study was Vanessa Strong of Cancer Research UK's Psychological Medicine Research Group. According to Strong, the techniques could be used to help screen and treat more patients in the future.

"There's a misconception among patients and doctors that depression is an acceptable side effect of cancer," she said.

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