Study: Many Cancer Survivors Struggle with Anxiety, Depression

A pair of research teams reporting at the ESMO Asia 2016 Congress, held in Singapore, Dec. 16 - 19, found that cancer takes a significant mental and physical toll on survivors.

Led by Shridevi Subramaniam, BSc, a research officer at the National Clinical Research Centre, Ministry of Health Malaysia, researchers found more than 4 in 5 cancer survivors suffered from anxiety. The Malaysian study of 1362 patients also found a similar number of cancer survivors grappling with depression a year after receiving their diagnosis.
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For the study, Subramaniam and colleagues included Malaysian patients from the ACTION study (ASEAN Cost in Oncology Study); 33% of whom had breast cancer. Participants completed questionnaires to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Anxiety and depression levels were also included in the survey, according to the authors.

Noting the importance of patients' satisfaction with their physical and mental well-being as an "end result of cancer care," the investigators found that, overall, patients' mental and physical well-being was low 12 months after diagnosis, with quality of life decreasing as cancer advances.

“Primary care practitioners can play more active roles in management of cancer survivors,” says Subramanian, “by providing clinical support, particularly in managing [their] psychological conditions as well as comorbidities.”

A separate study presented at the Congress found that cancer has a similar impact on the lives and overall health of adolescents and young adults.

That study included 56 patients, with an average of 28, who were newly diagnosed with cancer. Participants filled out a survey that included questions on occupation and lifestyle, in addition to being asked about problems regarding physical symptoms, mental well-being, and financial issues.

Overall, 37% were found to be in distress related to receiving a cancer diagnosis, with nearly half identifying the top cause of their concern as treatment decisions, followed by family health, sleep, and worry.

"The young differ from older people because they don't expect to be ill, and certainly not with cancer,” reported senior author Alexandre Chan, PharmD, MPH, BCPS, BCOP, an associate professor in the department of pharmacy at the National University of Singapore. “They're also at a stage when they're facing many social responsibilities and family burdens."

Given such factors, younger cancer patients "need effective supportive care and help," said Chan, "in managing the physical, psychological, and emotional side effects that come with both cancer diagnosis and treatment." 

—Mark McGraw

References

Subramaniam S. Health-related quality of life and psychological distress among cancer survivors in a middle-income Asian country [presented December 18, 2016 at ESMO Asia]. Abstract 496O_PR.   

Chan A. Prevalence and types of distress among Adult and Young Adolescent (AYA) newly diagnosed with cancer in Singapore. [presented December 18, 2016  at ESMO Asia]. Abstract 498PD_PR.