Being diagnosed with cancer can be very distressing. With the uncertainties and stress brought about by the illness, it is not uncommon for people with cancer to feel sad and hopeless about their future and other aspects of their lives. Depression is the persistent feeling of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness that does not go away. The symptoms of depression differs from person to person, and ranges from mild to severe.
Depression is not a sign of personal failure or weakness.
It is a mood disorder that can be treated. As having depression makes coping with cancer and its treatment more difficult, you are encouraged to seek help early if you notice any depressive symptoms in yourself or your loved one, especially if they last for more than 2 weeks.
Risks for depression
It has been found that people with cancer are more likely to develop depression if they have:
What you need to look out for
How depression can be treated
Your doctor or nurse may ask you more questions about your feelings and concerns, physical symptoms and how your daily life is affected. Your treatment plan may include:
Do not be worried about seeing counsellors, psychologists or psychiatrists. Psychological problems are very common amongst cancer patients; you are not alone. Seeing them does not mean that you are mentally ill or that you are emotionally not strong enough. Many people see these professionals to help them with day to day psychological difficulties (e.g. phobias, eating and sleeping disorders). They can conduct therapy sessions to help you improve your coping skills and reshape negative thoughts. They will also advise you on relaxation techniques that can be used to help you cope and feel better.
What you can do
Alongside your treatment for depression, here are some ways that may help you cope better with your emotions and everyday life:
When to call your cancer care team
Please inform your doctor or nurse if you suffer from any of the depressive symptoms as stated above, or if you experience any unexpected or intolerable side effects from the anti-depressive medication that you have been prescribed. It is especially important to speak to your healthcare team early if you feel like harming yourself, so that you can start the appropriate treatments as soon as possible.
If you are a patient with NCCS, you may also call +65 6306 1777 or +65 6436 8088 to book an appointment to speak to an NCCS counsellor if you need to talk to someone about your emotions.
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please call Cancer Helpline at +65 6225 5655 or approach your doctor or nurse for further details.
Useful resources
You may consider visiting the following websites for more information and assistance.
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The above contents are made available as part of TEMASEK FOUNDATION-ACCESS (Accessible Cancer Care to Enable Support for Survivors) PROGRAMME, a holistic care programme to support cancer patients during their care and recovery journey.
The contents have been approved by the Cancer Education Information Service, National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), for people with cancer and their families and caregivers. However, this information serves only as a guide and should not be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment or advice. For specific medical conditions, please seek expert medical advice from your healthcare team.
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