Mental and physical health are so intrinsically linked that working on depression symptoms improves the survival rates of people diagnosed with lung cancer. Worsening depression symptoms are associated with shorter survival for lung cancer patients, particularly those in the early stages of the disease, according to a new study.

“Surprisingly, depression remission was associated with a mortality benefit as they had the same mortality as never-depressed patients,” said lead author Donald R. Sullivan of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.

“This study cannot prove causation — but it lends support to the idea that surveillance for depression symptoms and treatment for depression could provide significant impact on patient outcomes, perhaps even a mortality benefit,” he told Reuters Health by email.

Between 2003 and 2005, the researchers tracked over 1,700 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients who had completed an eight-item depression assessment at the time of diagnosis and again a year later.

While 14% of patients, or 105, experienced new symptoms while receiving treatment, nearly 40% of patients, or 681 persons, had depressed symptoms upon diagnosis.

Surveillance for depression symptoms and treatment provides a significant impact on the results

The analysis published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology shows that, overall, follow-up mortality was 17 percent higher among those with depressive symptoms at the start of the study period than in those without.

The 105 individuals who experienced new-onset symptoms had a 50% higher chance of dying than the 640 individuals who never experienced any signs of depression. There was a 42 percent increased risk of death for an additional 254 individuals whose depression symptoms persisted during the research period.

On the other hand, the probability of dying was comparable for those who experienced depression at the time of diagnosis but did not experience it a year later. Regarding the mechanism or reason for the patients’ depression remission, the researchers have no information.

“We have known since the 1970s that a cancer diagnosis sets off a period of existential plight, a period that lasts about 100 days during which people ask questions of life and death and worry about their health and the meaning of their physical symptoms,” said Mark Lazenby, associate professor at the Yale School of Nursing in New Haven, Connecticut and a member of Yale Cancer Centre.

Mental and physical health are linked

“Although from this study we cannot say that treating depression would extend survival, other studies have shown that care aimed at improving the psychosocial well-being, which includes but is not limited to detecting and treating depression, does have a survival benefit,” Lazenby, who was not involved in the study, said by email.

According to Sullivan, depression lowers quality of life and has been linked to missing appointments and less adherence to prescribed medicines, which may have an ethical consequence.

“Most of all, I believe a positive attitude, fighting spirit, and coping ability significantly impact a patient’s ability to persevere in the face of a life-threatening illness,” he said. “This is likely why married patients and those with strong social support networks have better cancer outcomes — having a ‘community’ to help share the emotional burden is essential.”

He continued, “There is an inextricable link between mental and physical health. Clinicians must do a better job of treating the whole person and not focusing on the disease only.”

“From the patients’ perspective, hopefully, some of them will look at this study and realize the feelings they are experiencing are common. They will feel empowered to advocate for themselves and ask their clinicians for help or resources when needed,” Sullivan said.

Story Source:

Materials provided by Yale Cancer Center. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

D. R. Sullivan, C. W. Forsberg, L. Ganzini, D. H. Au, M. K. Gould, D. Provenzale, C. G. Slatore. Longitudinal Changes in Depression Symptoms and Survival Among Patients With Lung Cancer: A National Cohort Assessment. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2016; DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2016.66.8459

Page citation:

Yale Cancer Center. “Changes in depression symptoms tied to lung cancer survival.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 October 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161013220640.htm>.

Help is here:

Toll-Free Mental Health Rehabilitation Helpline Kiran (1800-599-0019)

Name of the Organisation: Indian Cancer Society

The ICS is one of the first voluntary, non-profit, National Organization for Awareness, Detection, Cure, and Survivorship of those affected by this disease.

Website:  https://www.indiancancersociety.org/

Contact: email: info@indiancancersociety.org

Telephone: +91- 22-2413 9445 / 5 CANCER HELPLINE: 1800-22-1951

Name of the Organisation: Vandrevala Foundation

Vandrevala Foundation is a non-profit that partners with organizations to help communities thrive by providing education and healthcare. Vandrevala Foundation launched a mental health helpline in India in 2009 to offer free psychological counselling and crisis mediation to anyone experiencing distress due to depression, trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness, and relationship conflict.

Website:  http://www.vandrevalafoundation.com

Contact: Email: info@vandrevalafoundation.com

Telephone: +91 9999 666 555