The prevalence and correlates of depression among patients with breast cancer, attending outpatient clinics at two cancer units in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common invasive malignancy among females worldwide (1). According to the Cancer control programme of Sri Lanka, in 2014, breast cancer accounted for 25.2% of all types of cancers affecting females in Sri Lanka(2). Studies have shown the prevalence of depression in breast cancer to be very high compared to general population figures, although it varies widely across different settings, ranging from 1% to 56% (3,4). Depression is reported to worsen the progression of cancer in many ways; and ultimately, the outcome of the cancer treatment becomes poorer if the patient is depressed (5). Therefore, patients with breast cancer should be screened for depression and offered appropriate treatment if they are found to be depressed.

The prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in patients with cancer treated in a Tertiary health care facility in Southern Sri Lanka

“…Few studies assessed the prevalence of DS among Sri Lankan patients with cancer (Prabhath & Ruben 2020). The prevalence of DS in this study was consistent with similar studies conducted in other countries.…”