img

For Cancer Caregivers, Depression Can Worsen Physical Health

Posted On: 06-30-2017
For Cancer Caregivers, Depression Can Worsen Physical Health
A new study published by the American Cancer Society has found that the link between depression and worsened physical health may be especially strong for cancer caregivers.

The study was performed by a team from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. The team analyzed survey responses from 664 caregivers and researchers were looking for changes in health from two years to eight years following a loved one’s cancer diagnosis. The survey came from the American Cancer Society.

The researchers found that health declined a small but notable amount by year eight, especially when compared to year two. The only predictor of worsened physical health appeared to be depression. Responders with significant depression signs experienced physical health decline twice as fast as those with average signs of depression.

The study’s researchers recommend that the mental health of cancer caregivers be evaluated soon after the diagnosis of their loved one in order to identify caregivers in need and then connect them with the right services. Cancer caregivers are exposed to many stressors and emotional and psychological challenges, and early intervention with the help of screening questions could help significantly.

See Related Articles

A New Study Suggests Jet Lag Can Be Treated

Jet lag is the result of waking and sleeping patterns that a ...
Posted On: 02-11-2016
read more

Alzheimer’s Risk & Air Pollution

A new study led by scientists at the University of Southern ...
Posted On: 02-03-2017
read more

Behavioral Characteristics of Children With Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a seizure condition, and while 2.5 million Ameri ...
Posted On: 07-01-2016
read more

Brain Aneurysms & What to Watch For

The brain is a very complex area of the body. Among the most ...
Posted On: 09-20-2019
read more

Can Marijuana Use Affect Vocabulary Later in Life?

More than 5,000 participants were selected for the study in ...
Posted On: 02-18-2016
read more

Could Poor Sleep Point to Higher Stroke Risk?

The study was headed by investigators from Rush University's ...
Posted On: 01-21-2016
read more

Dangers of Drowsy Driving

Driving while drowsy impairs your judgement, decreases your ...
Posted On: 02-10-2017
read more

Everyday Radiation Exposure & Safety

There are many everyday sources of radiation. For example, a ...
Posted On: 03-24-2017
read more

Female Firefighters at Increased Risk of PTSD, Suicidal Thoughts

A recent study published in the journal Occupational Medicin ...
Posted On: 06-07-2019
read more

Related Doctors

View All

Surgical Procedures

View All

Be Healthy

View All

Health News

Watch & learn

View All
GET A WEEKLY DOSE OF HEALTHY INSPIRATION
GET A WEEKLY DOSE OF HEALTHY INSPIRATION
Please enter required fields.
Subscription Successful.
Already Subscribed.
Enter Valid Email Address.