New Delhi :
According to a new study, those suffering from depression are less likely to recover well after treatment for colorectal cancer as compared to those without depression. Researchers at Macmillan Cancer Support and the University of Southampton in UK found that one in five colorectal cancer patients are depressed at the time of diagnosis.
Severe depression puts them at the risk of having poorer health which could have disastrous impact on one’s walking around or even sometimes being confined to bed, compared to those without depression. Their depression can also cost them thinking troubles and may also impair sexual or memory functioning, researchers said.
Previous research also proves it that more than half a million people who have received a cancer diagnosis are also living with a mental health issue, such as depression.
Sometimes, their mental agony and other related illness may go unnoticed by health professional which may result in losing out on vital support, researchers said.
The study, which is the largest of its kind, is following the lives of more than a thousand colorectal cancer patients from before surgery until at least five years afterwards. It assesses their recovery by measuring indicators of health, quality of life and wellbeing.
"This research tells us that having depression has an enormous impact on how people live after their cancer treatment," said Jane Maher from Macmillan Cancer Support.
"Colorectal cancer can have some difficult physical consequences, such as incontinence and sexual difficulties - it is more than enough for anyone to have to deal with. Mental health issues can be a real barrier to people getting better," he added.
This study best highlights the importance of taking into account psychological factors when it comes to overall well-being of the patients. Findings were published in the journal PLoS ONE.
