EClinicalMedicine: depression increases the lethality of breast cancer

Scientists from Kazan State Medical University as part of a research team have found that depression can significantly increase the likelihood of breast cancer mortality. The results of the study are published on the EClinicalMedicine website.

The work of Russian scientists is a meta-analysis of previous studies on the topic of lethality factors and successful treatment of breast cancer. It is noted that under the analytical review fell English-language studies involving more than a hundred volunteers.

The results showed that the prevalence of depression in women with breast cancer varies from 4.5% to 38%. At the same time, the presence of such a mental disorder increases the risk of death from all causes (including those associated with the disease) in patients with breast cancer stage I-III by 50%. It was also found that the greatest risk of dying (2-2.5-fold increase) is seen in women with early stage breast cancer (I and II).

Women with non-metastatic breast cancer who report symptoms of mild to moderate depression in the weeks following surgery to remove the tumour have about 2.5 times higher risk of death over the next 8-15 years than women with little or no signs of the disorder.

Researchers noted that depression in cancer not only reduces a person's quality of life, but is also an independent predictor of poor survival. They stated that working on the mental well-being of female breast cancer patients (psychotherapy and antidepressant treatment) can reduce stress levels and increase the likelihood of successful treatment.

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