Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-gb8f7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T02:57:50.047Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A survey of cancer patients undergoing a radical course of radiotherapy, to establish levels of anxiety and depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2008

Nicola Holmes  and
Keren Williamson
Nicola Holmes
Affiliation:
Radiotherapy and Oncology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales,UK
Keren Williamson
Affiliation:
Radiotherapy and Oncology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales,UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This research aims to establish the prevalence and aetiology of anxiety and depression in cancer patients within their first 2 weeks of a radical course of radiotherapy. Depression followed by anxiety is the two most frequent psychological disorders experienced by cancer patients. However, these two disorders are frequently undiagnosed and untreated in patients undergoing a course of radiotherapy possibly because the treatment side effects often simulate those of anxiety and depression; the consequences of this can be reduced patient prognosis and increased health care costs. A questionnaire was administered to a sample of 100 eligible cancer patients and this yielded a 68% response rate. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale was integrated into the questionnaire to accurately establish levels of anxiety and depression in the respondents of the study. The study identified six respondents with clinically significant levels of anxiety (9%) and six with depression (9%); 21% (n = 14) of participants had higher than normal levels of anxiety and 21% for depression (n = 14). Correlations were then identified between levels of psychological distress and the four independent variables; age, diagnosis, adjuvant medication and pain. Four predisposing factors were established—breast cancer diagnosis, age range 40–50 years, the presence of pain and adjuvant chemotherapy regimes.

Keywords

anxietycancerdepressionradiotherapy
Type
Original Article
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , June 2008 , pp. 89 - 98
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

The NHS Cancer Plan. London: The Department of Health, 2000. Available online at URL: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics (accessed 30/8/2005).Google Scholar
Imaginis. Cancer Treatment With Radiation Therapy, 2004. Available online at URL: www.imaginis.com/radiotherapy (accessed 20/3/2007).Google Scholar
Thompson, DS, Spanier, CA, Vogel, VG. The relationship between tamoxifen, oestrogen, and depressive symptoms. Breast J 1999; 5:375–382.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rennie, MA.Breast cancer and depression: risk factors and treatment options. Medical update 2000; 1(3):1–3. Available online at URL: www.abreastinthewest.ca/medical2.cfm?Num=13 (accessed 9/9/2005).Google Scholar
Van't Spiker, A, Trijsberg, RW, Duivenvoorden, HJ.Psychological sequelae of cancer diagnosis: a meta-analytical review of 58 studies after 1980. Psychosom Med 1997;59:280–293.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Online Medical Dictionary. Definition of anxiety, 1997. Available online at URL: http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?anxiety (accessed 8/6/2005).Google Scholar
Weiner, IB. Defining and classifying psychopathology, 2003 Available online at URL: http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/06/04712734/0471273406.pdf (accessed 1/4/2006).Google Scholar
Parle, M, Jones, B, Maguire, P.Maladaptive coping and affective disorders among cancer patients. Psychol Med 1996;26(4):735–744.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nordin, K, Berglund, G, Glimelius, B et al. Predicting anxiety and depression among cancer patients. Eur J Cancer 2001; 37:376–384.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Forcina, J.Depression in cancer: the American view. Cancer Nurs Pract 2004;3(5):16–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Raison, CL, Nemeroff, CB.Cancer and depression: prevalence, diagnosis and treatment. Home Health Care Consult 2000; 7(9):34–41.Google Scholar
Massie, MJ.Prevalence of depression in patients with cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2004; 32:57–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lovejoy, NC, Matteis, M.Cognitive-behavioural interventions to manage depression in patients with cancer: research and theoretical initiatives. Cancer Nurs 1997;20(3):155–167.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seale, J, Barnard, S.Therapy research-processes and practicalities.Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann, 1998.Google Scholar
Ciaramella, A, Poli, P.Assessment of depression among cancer patients: the role of pain, cancer type and treatment. Psychooncology 2001; 10(2):156–165.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oncology Nursing Society. Measuring oncology nursing—sensitive patient outcomes: evidence-based summary, 1998. Available online at URL: http://onsopcontent.ons.org/toolkits/evidence/Clinical/pdf/DepressionTools.pdf (accessed 20 Aug 2005).Google Scholar
Matsushita, T, Matsushima, E, Maruyama, M.Anxiety and depression of patients with digestive cancer. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2005;59:576–583.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Attwood, G, Dyer, G, Skipworth, G. (2000) Statistics 3 Heinmann, Oxford.Google Scholar
Yarbro, CH, Frooge, MH, Goodman, M et al. Cancer Nursing Principles and Practice,5th edn. London: Jones and Bartlett publishers, 2000.Google Scholar
Spiegel, D.Cancer and depression. Br J Psychiatr 1996;168(Suppl. 30):109–116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Breitbart, W.Identifying patients at risk for, and treatment of major psychiatric complications of cancer. Support Care Cancer 1995; 3:45–60.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mcmanamy, J. Depression and Cancer, 2004 Available online at URL: www.mcmanweb.com/article-43.htm (accessed 29 Jun 2006).Google Scholar
Ohayon, MM.Specific Characteristics of pain/depression association in the general population. J Clin Psychiatr 2004; 65(12):1–8.Google ScholarPubMed
Zabora, J, Brintzenhofezoc, K, Curbow, B et al. The prevalence of psychological distress by cancer site. Psychooncology 2001; 10:19–28.3.0.CO;2-6>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hann, D, Baker, F, Denniston, M et al. The influence of psychological support on depressive symptoms in cancer patients: age and gender differences. J Psychosom Res 2002; 52:279–283.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mcdaniel, JS, Musselman, DL, Nemeroff, CB.Cancer and depression: theory and treatment. Psychiatr Ann 1997; 27:360–364.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feber, T.Patient Experience Survey, 2002. Leeds head and neck cancer team. Available online at URL: www.bahnon.org.uk (accessed 21 Feb 2006).Google Scholar
Holland, JC.Psycho-oncology. London:Oxford University Press, 1998.Google Scholar
Anderson, RC, Franke, KA.Psychological and psychological implications of head and neck cancer. The Internet Journal of Mental Health 2002; 1(2). Available online at URL: www.ispub.com/ostia/index.php?xmlFilePath=journals/ijmh/vol1n2/neck.xml (accessed 26 Feb 2006).Google Scholar
Moadel, AB, Ostroff, JS, Schantz, SP.Psycho-oncology. London: Oxford University Press, 1998.Google Scholar
Rae, F.Psychosocial Clinical Practice Guidelines; Support and Counselling for Women with Breast Cancer National health and Medical Research Counsel, 2000. Available online at URL: www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/healthrpt/stories/s102135.htm.(accessed 05Mar 2006).Google Scholar
Marcus, A.Breast Cancer Treatment Linked to Depression, 1999. Available online at URL: http://alt.support.breast-implant (accessed 05 Mar 2006).Google Scholar
Day, R, Ganz, PA, Constantino, JP.Tamoxifen and depression: more evidence from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project’s Breast Cancer Prevention (P-1)Randomized Study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2001;3:(21):1615–1623.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fox, C.Sexuality and breast Cancer. Kendal, 2004. Available online at URL: www.sjhospice.org.uk/sexbrest.htm (accessed 05 Mar 2006).Google Scholar
Pirl, WF, Roth, AJ.Diagnosis and treatment of depression in cancer patients Oncology, 1999; 13(9):225–232.Google ScholarPubMed
Bisson, JI, Chubb, HL, Bennett, HS et al. The prevalence and predictors of psychological distress in patients with early localized prostate cancer. Br J Urol 2002; 90:(1):56–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Novotny, PJ, Sloan, L, Guse, SR et al. A pilot study assessing social support among cancer patients enrolled on clinical trials: a comparison of younger versus older age. Am J Surg 1998;185(3):239–243.Google Scholar
Schultz, P, Beck, M, Stava, C et al. Relationship between quality of life and self-reported psychological problems in a large cohort of long-term cancer survivors. Psychooncology 2006; 15:34–35.Google Scholar
Stieglis, HE, Ranchor, AV, Sanderman, R.Psychological functioning in cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. Patient Educ Couns 2004; 52:(2) 131–141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shepherd, KL, Fisher, SE.Prospective evaluation of quality of life in patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer: from diagnosis to three months post treatment. Oral Oncol 2004; 40(7): 751–757.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Love, AW, Kissane, DW, Bloch, S et al. Diagnostic efficacy of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in women with early stage breast cancer. Aust J Psychiatr 2002; 36(2):246–250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bjelland, I, Dahl, AA, Haug, TT et al. The validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, an updated literature review. J Psychosom Res 2002; 52(2):69–77.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Montazeri, A, Vahndanania, M, Ebrahimi, M, Jarvandi, S.The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS): translation and validation study of the Iranian version. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2003;1: 14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed