Cancer

Back in the 1970s, there was a theory that some people had a “cancer personality.”

Blame the patient.

A new study in the journal, Cancer,  shows that death rates are higher among cancer patients who report depression symptoms as well as more deaths among patients who had a depressive disorder when compared to patients who did not.

Cancer is the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

“Overall, death rates were as much as 25 percent higher in patients who felt depressed and 39 percent higher in patients who received a diagnosis of depression,” says this research. (Emphasis added)

The original article says, “The investigators note that the actual risk of death associated with depression in cancer patients is still small, so patients should not feel that they must maintain a positive attitude to beat their disease. Nevertheless, the study indicates that it is important for physicians to regularly screen cancer patients for depression and to provide appropriate treatments. (Emphasis added)

“The researchers did not find a clear association between depression and cancer progression, although only three studies were available for analysis. “

Citation: Cancer, Online Edition, September 14, 2009