Fifty five percent of women with a record of depression were alive after their breast cancer diagnosis compared with 75 percent with no depression history.

‘Low mood and depression are the prominent symptoms that increase risks of dying and reduce survival rates in women with breast cancer.’

Overall, 55 percent of women with a record of depression were alive five years after their breast cancer diagnosis compared with 75 percent with no depression history. It remained the same even after taking into account other factors that may have affected survival including age at cancer diagnosis, stage of cancer and socio-economic status.




"Clinicians generally know to look out for this, but these findings emphasise the need to ask patients with cancer about their mood and for women to know it's okay to ask for help. Greater social support or psychological interventions for women with breast cancer could help to reduce the negative effects amongst those most at risk of depression, " said Dr Elizabeth Davies, lead researcher.
Low mood and depression were understandable reactions to a breast cancer diagnosis. Depression-linked behaviours such as adopting a less healthy lifestyle, chronic stress or non-compliance with treatment may help explain this link, said researchers.
Source-Medindia