Anxiety and depression in working-age cancer survivors: a register-based study

Abstract

BackgroundAnxiety and depression can be a long-term strain in cancer survivors. Little is known about the emotional situation of cancer survivors who have to deal with work- and family-related issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate anxiety and depression in working-age cancer survivors and associated factors.MethodsA register-based sample of 3370 cancer survivors (25 to 55 years at time of diagnosis) diagnosed up to six years prior to the survey was recruited from two German cancer registries. Demographic and medical characteristics as well as self-reported measures were used.ResultsOverall, approximately 40% of the survivors reported moderate to high anxiety scores and approximately 20% reported moderate to high depression scores. Compared to the general population, working-age cancer survivors were more anxious but less depressed (p < .001). Subgroups with regard to time since diagnosis did not differ in anxiety or depression. Anxiety and depression in cancer survivors were associated with various variables. Better social support, family functioning and physical health were associated with lower anxiety and depression.ConclusionsOverall, we found higher anxiety levels in cancer survivors of working-age than in the general population. A considerable portion of cancer survivors reported moderate to high levels of anxiety and depression. The results indicate the need for psychosocial screening and psycho-oncological support e.g. in survivorship programs for working-age cancer survivors. Assessing the physical health, social support and family background might help to identify survivors at risk for higher emotional distress.

Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety:Asystematic review with assessment of potential psycho‐oncologic relevance

“…Depression and anxiety also contribute to long‐term strain in cancer patients. In a recent survey of 3,370 survivors, 40% reported moderate to high anxiety, and in approximately 20%, moderate to high levels of depression lasted up to 6 years post‐diagnosis (Inhestern et al, ). Depression can lead to serious consequences that include worsening quality of life (Higginson & Costantini, ), lower adherence to anticancer treatments (Mathes, Pieper, Antoine, & Eikermann, ), suicide (Henriksson, Isometsa, Hietanen, Aro, & Lonnqvist, ), prolonged hospital stays (Prieto et al, ), and reduced survival (Pinquart & Duberstein, ).…”

Psychological distress among cancer survivors during implementation of a&nbsp;nationwide Movement Control Order&nbsp;over the COVID-19 pandemic

“…There has also been a report that as age increased, anxiety decreased signi cantly; however, age was not a signi cant predictor of depression [24]. A study on anxiety and depression in working-age cancer survivors reported that higher anxiety was associated with younger age; nonetheless, no signi cant association between depression and age was found [25]. In our study there was no signi cant difference between anxiety and age; nevertheless, signi cant increases in depression and psychological distress were reported as age increased in the univariate analyses.…”

Fatores associados à depressão em pacientes oncológicos durante quimioterapia

“…Enfatiza-se variável significante quanto à presença de sintomas de depressão, devido às diferentes abordagens (pacientes diagnosticados (6,14) ou não clinicamente (4,(8)(9)15) ) e instrumentos utilizados, como IDB (3,5,8,(16)(17) , Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale ((7) , Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (9) , Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (4,(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) , Self-rating Depression Scale (20) .…”

“…Em estudo realizado com 3.370 sobreviventes de câncer na Alemanha, fatores como estar desempregado, receber pouco apoio social, estar sem tratamento, menor tempo desde o diagnóstico, saúde física prejudicada e pertencer à família de baixa renda obtiveram associações estatisticamente significantes para presença de maiores escores de depressão. Apuraram que mulheres ou homens com câncer de órgão genital ou câncer hematológico tiveram associações estatisticamente significantes a escores mais altos de depressão, em comparação com sobreviventes com câncer de mama (19) .…”