Mental health and cancer survivors

Depressive Disorder is frequently observed in individuals with cancer, occurring at rates up to four times higher than in the general population.
clinical outcomes,including reduced adherence to treatment
Emerging insights into the neurobiological basis of depression suggest that overlapping biobehavioral pathways may also influence cancer development and progression.
Additionally, the psychological stress linked to cancer can lead to: (1) heightened inflammation and oxidative/nitrosative stress; (2) impaired immune system surveillance; and
(3) abnormal functioning of both the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Therefore, early detection of depression in cancer patients — who may benefit from targeted interventions addressing mood symptoms, cognitive decline, fatigue, and sleep issues — is an urgent health concern.