Mental Health Challenges in Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Depression and Anxiety.

Simple Summary: This research is suggested to address the significant psychological distress that cancer patients often experience during diagnosis and treatment, which can adversely affect their outcomes and care. Despite advancements in cancer treatments extending survival rates, the emergence of depression and anxiety as common comorbidities underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve patient well-being. The study aims to investigate the prevalence of depression and anxiety among cancer patients and identify some of the associated risk factors. Advancements in cancer treatment and early detection have extended survival rates, transforming many cancers into chronic conditions. However, cancer diagnosis and treatment can trigger significant psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, impacting patient outcomes and care. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of and identify the risk factors for depression and anxiety among cancer patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted, including patients under the care of the oncology department at a tertiary medical center between June 2021 and October 2023. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short forms. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for depression and anxiety. The study population included 159 patients, with 40.3% reporting worsening mental health, but only about half of them received therapy. Among the study participants, 22.6% experienced symptoms of depression and 30.2% experienced symptoms of anxiety. Single-cancer patients and those with metastases were at increased risk for depression, while those with a disease duration of more than a year and patients with female-specific cancer were more likely to experience anxiety. Given the high prevalence of mental health deterioration in cancer patients, closer monitoring and validated assessment tools are essential to improve depression and anxiety diagnosis and facilitate early interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]