Anxiety and Depression in Adult Survivors of Cancer

Publication Date: April 18, 2023

Key Points

Key Points

  • The psychological toll cancer takes on the growing population of survivors is often overlooked.
  • Identification and treatment of cancer patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders, either pre existing or newly arising, remains imperative.
  • Along with depression, anxiety is common among this population and continues to be an under addressed condition.

Table 1. Risk Factors for Anxiety and Depression in Cancer

Medical
  • Advanced disease
  • Intense or aggressive treatment(s); multiple treatments
  • Higher symptom/side effect, adverse event burden
  • Co-morbid medical conditions
  • Few rehabilitative options
  • Poor patient/doctor relationship

Personal
  • Prior psychiatric history
  • Past trauma history
  • Helpless/hopeless outlook
  • Low education level
  • Low income
  • Marital/interpersonal relationship conflict
  • Younger age (<40)

Social
  • Singleton (without marital or other partner)
  • Limited social contacts
  • Insufficient social support
  • Limited access to service resources
  • Socioenvironmental stressors
  • Social stigma

Management

...anagement...

...l Management Principles...

....1All patients with cancer and any patient-id...

...1.2Clinicians should use a stepped-care model,...

...mendation 1.3Psychological and psychosocial interv...

...on 1.4When making a referral for fu...

...dation 1.5For patients who have symptoms of both...

...ommendation 1.6For patients referred to...

...dation 1.7If pharmacologic treatment i...

...n 1.8After 8 weeks of treatment for depression...


...eatment and Care Options for Depress...

...ation 2.1For patients with moderate to severe dep...

...commendation 2.2For a patient with moderat...

...on 2.3For a patient with severe symptoms of depres...

...on 2.4Treating clinicians may offer...


...Treatment and Care Options for Anxiety Sy...

...dation 3.1For patients with moderate to sev...

...ecommendation 3.2For a patient with moderate...

...on 3.3For a patient with severe symptoms of...

...endation 3.4Treating clinicians may offer...


...ning and Assessment — Depression in Adult...


...e 2. Care Map — Depression in Adults...


...ening and Assessment — Anxiety in Adults With...


...ap — Generalized Anxiety in Adults With Cancer...


...eves that cancer clinical trials are vital t...