Correlates of depression among cancer patients

A study was conducted to assess the influence of personal factors on depression among cancer patients at UAS, Dharwad during the year 2021-24 on a sample of 150 cancer patients (oral, gynecological and breast) from four hospitals of Dharwad city of Karnataka State and Hyderabad city of Telangana State. A self-structured questionnaire was used to gather personal information. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to assess anxiety and depression among cancer patients. Frequency, percentages and chi-square test was used for data analysis. The results revealed a significant association between age, gender, education, occupation and depression of the patients in Hyderabad region. Patients who were in the age group of > 58 years had higher depression compared to those who were in 25-35 years of age group. Women had higher depression. In case of education, patients who were illiterates were in the category of abnormal depression whereas patients who were self-employed with income < 5k had higher level of depression. Hence, addressing depression in cancer patients is critical for their holistic care, improving quality of life, treatment adherence, physical health, social support, psychological resilience, and potentially even survival outcomes. It requires a comprehensive approach that considers the unique needs and circumstances of each patients.