Summary of How Depression Influences Breast Cancer Survival:
Breast cancer patients who experience depression before or after diagnosis are at a higher risk of death, according to a study by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. The research, which analyzed data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry, found that depression before diagnosis was linked to a 26% increased mortality risk, while post-diagnosis depression increased the risk by 50%. Depression pre- or post-diagnosis did not appear to affect the likelihood of receiving recommended guideline treatment. The report emphasized the importance of depression screening and management within cancer care.
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Depression Linked to Lower Likelihood of Survival for Breast Cancer Patients
A study published in CANCER has found that depression, whether pre- or post-diagnosis of breast cancer, is associated with a lower likelihood of survival. The research indicates the importance of screening and managing depression in cancer care.
The Study
To conduct the research, the team analyzed data from the Kentucky Cancer Registry, identifying adult women diagnosed with primary invasive breast cancer from 2007 to 2011. Patients were categorized as having no depression diagnosis, depression diagnosis only before diagnosis, depression diagnosis only after diagnosis, or persistent depression (depression before and after cancer diagnosis). The team also assessed their adherence to National Comprehensive Cancer Network breast cancer treatment guidelines.
Results
Of the 6,054 patients analyzed, 4.1%, 3.7%, and 6.2% had persistent depression, depression pre-diagnosis only, and depression post-diagnosis only, respectively. During the median follow-up of four years, 26.3% of patients died.
The research revealed that depression pre-diagnosis only and depression post-diagnosis only (but not persistent depression) were linked with worse survival than no depression. Specifically, depression pre-diagnosis was associated with a 26% higher risk of death, and depression post-diagnosis was associated with a 50% higher risk.
Additionally, patients who did not receive guideline-recommended treatment faced a 118% higher risk of death than those who received recommended care.
Looking at the demographic factors, patients residing in Appalachia were 18% less likely to have received the recommended breast cancer care, but investigators did not find any significant differences in survival.
Importance of Depression Screening and Management
Based on the findings, it is essential to diagnose and treat depression during breast cancer diagnosis and beyond for proper patient care and survival. According to Bin Huang, DrPH, of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, who led the study, persistent depression could be an indication that patients’ depression may have been well managed, which highlights the importance of depression screening and management throughout a cancer patient’s care.
Dr. Huang also noted that utilizing linked health claims data and cancer registry data demonstrated the value of cross-source data linkages for examining potential health disparities and identifying where improvements in cancer care are necessary. Further, more rigorous studies are needed on depression management across various cancer sites and patient populations, and the results could eventually change depression management policies and guidelines in cancer care.
Conclusion
To ensure breast cancer patient’s well-being, it is crucial to detect and manage depression before and after diagnosis. The correlation between depression and a lower likelihood of survival highlights the need to incorporate depression screening and treatment as a routine aspect of cancer care.
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