Comparative analysis of depression between care givers of cancer patients and general population: A short report

Cancer Biology

Recent studies have shown that the cancer and depression are interlinked. Most patients, families, and caregivers face certain level of depression, anxiety, and fear when cancer becomes part of their lives. These feelings are usual responses to this enigmatic experience. While both the cancer patient and caregiver are psychologically affected by cancer; however, the way it can affect them differs in many respects. In an attempt to explore the link between cancer and depression in caregivers of cancer patients, screening of caregivers was done for presence of depression signs through standard questionnaires. This study was observational in nature and based on a single hospital setting. Our results showed significant association between cancer patient caregivers and depression, suggesting that there are higher levels of depression in caregivers of cancer patients as compared to general population. Consequently, exploration of degree of depression among caregivers may enhance our ability to device targeted approaches for preventing the same.

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