Depression and Breast Cancer

Although no single cause of depression has been identified, it appears that there is interaction among genetic, biochemical, environmental and psychosocial factors may play a role. Depression is not a personal weakness or a condition that can be willed or wished away, but it can be successfully treated.

Breast cancer patients become at risk for depressive symptoms. They may acquire physical changes in their appearance as well as chemically induced symptoms of depression caused by chemotherapy drugs. There is also a psychosocial struggle that includes a fear for their survival.

Some common symptoms of depression include:

1) A persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
2) Sleeping too little, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
3) Reduced appetite and weight loss, or increased appetite and weight gain
4) Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
5) Restlessness or irritability
6) Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions
7) Fatigue or loss of energy
8) Thoughts of death or suicide.

Clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American adults each year. There has been recent research regarding the best treatment approaches for depression in breast cancer patients.

Understandably, depression may worsen over the course of cancer treatment and recurs with recurrence of cancer. Depressive symptoms may negatively affect a patient’s adherence to cancer treatment, survival, symptom management, psychosocial functioning and quality of life.

Interpersonal psychotherapy, problem-solving therapy and brief supportive psychotherapy as well as available support groups have been known to improve depressive symptoms and quality of life in breast cancer patients.

Fortunately cancer treatments today are often less debilitating physically, therefore enabling the patient to continue much of their normal life obligations. Maintaining one’s life as normal as possible in the face of a devastating illness is invaluable in fighting depression.

Support of family and friends is essential. It is important that the patient feel valued during their course of treatment and can count on others for emotional support.