PREVALENCE OF DEPRESSION AMONG BREAST CANCER PATIENTS UPON DIAGNOSIS

The study is carried out as retrospective and prospective observational studies to analyse the cancer characteristics, therapeutic approaches and the state of depression in Breast cancer patients. Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy and hormonal therapy are the distinct modalities of treatments used in the therapy of breast cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used as adjuvant therapies, typically after the primary surgical approach, these prove to be beneficial in inhibiting the metastasis of cancer and to enhance the survival rates in long-term. Research has shown that almost a third to a half of population diagnosed with breast cancer including the ones undergoing treatment regimen are in all likelihood of experiencing psychological distress. Cancer and therapy-related symptoms can be major emphasizers in a patient undergoing therapeutic regimen for breast cancer. Consequently, addressing the effect of breast cancer and the long-term outcomes of the therapy have become vital. The prevalence of depression among breast cancer population varies from 1.5% to 50%, depending on the populace and explicit definition of depression and method of assessment. The quality of life [QOL] of a breast cancer patient is associated with the types of treatments and treatment-related symptoms or adverse effects . The QOL is adversely connected to the high prevalence of depression which influences the treatment process .Understanding these common psychiatric disorders and associated psychosocial factors found in breast cancer patients can help to plan for effective treatment of these patients and may result in more treatment success. The overall QOL was found to be significant in patients with depression. The state of depression was analysed among 46 patients using PHQ-9 questionnaire. The analysed scores showed that 17.4% of the patients were at Minimal depression state, 43.5% were having Mild depression thoughts, 21.7% were having Moderate depression and 15.2% and 2.2% of the population were suffering from Moderately Severe and Severe depression respectively.