Depression in Cancer Patients: 5 Important Facts You Should Know

Depression is one of the most common, and most overlooked, mental health conditions affecting people living with cancer. While emotional distress is often expected after a diagnosis, clinical depression goes far beyond normal sadness. When unrecognized or untreated, it can interfere with treatment, reduce quality of life, and impact long-term outcomes.

Understanding how depression shows up in cancer care is a critical step toward better support, earlier intervention, and more comprehensive healing.

An old man with cancer and depression

How Common Is Depression in Cancer Patients?

Research consistently shows that depression affects people with cancer at significantly higher rates than the general population.

A large global systematic review and meta-analysis examining 182,521 cancer patients across 183 studies found that approximately 27% were living with depression, with prevalence estimates ranging between 24% and 30%. This confirms that depression is not a rare complication but a common experience during cancer treatment and survivorship (Mejareh et al.,2021).

In comparison, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that about 8.3 % of U.S. adults experience major depression in a given year. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that 15% to 25% of people with cancer meet criteria for depression, two to three times higher than the general population.

Depression Is Frequently Undiagnosed in Oncology Settings

Despite these high rates, depression often goes undetected during cancer care.

In a hospital-based study involving 400 cancer patients receiving treatment in radiation oncology, haematology, and chemotherapy infusion clinics, patients were screened using a standardised depression assessment tool. The findings were striking:

• 40% of patients screened positive for depression

• 75% of those cases had never been previously diagnosed

• This meant that nearly 30% of patients were living with untreated depression

Importantly, the study found no significant differences in depression prevalence across racial or ethnic groups, indicating that underdiagnosis affects patients broadly. However, women were significantly more likely than men to experience depression (47% vs. 32%).

Why Depression Is Often Missed in Cancer Patients

One of the biggest challenges in identifying depression is symptom overlap. Common cancer-related symptoms, such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and difficulty concentrating, are also core features of depression.

As a result, emotional distress may be attributed solely to cancer or its treatment, rather than recognized as a treatable mental health condition. Without routine screening, many patients continue care while struggling silently.

Five Evidence-Based Facts About Depression in Cancer Patients

1. Depression often goes unrecognized in patients with cancer

Studies show that the majority of depressed cancer patients are never formally diagnosed, even when symptoms are clinically significant.

2. Depression is substantially more common in cancer patients than in the general population

Global research indicates prevalence rates of around 30 -40%, compared to 5.7% in the general adult population.

3. Socioeconomic stress is strongly linked to depression and anxiety

Lower income, financial strain from treatment costs, limited access to care, and reduced social support are all associated with higher rates of depression during cancer treatment.

4. Telephone-based counselling and remote mental health support can reduce symptoms

Research indicates that structured telephone counselling can significantly improve depressive symptoms and cancer-related pain, especially for patients who face barriers to in-person mental health services.

5. Untreated depression can negatively affect cancer outcomes

Depression is associated with poorer treatment adherence, increased healthcare utilization, lower quality of life, and, in some studies, reduced survival, making mental health care a vital part of oncology treatment.

Why Early Detection and Treatment Matter

Depression is not a normal or inevitable part of cancer; it is a medical condition that responds well to appropriate care. Early identification enables patients to receive timely support, thereby improving their emotional well-being and enhancing their ability to fully engage in treatment.

Integrating mental health screening into cancer care has been shown to improve patient outcomes, satisfaction, and overall quality of life.

How Jabali Health Supports Cancer-Related Depression

At Jabali Behavioral Health, we recognise that cancer impacts both the physical and mental aspects of a person. Our integrative approach addresses depression with evidence-based psychiatric care tailored to individuals managing complex medical conditions.

If you or a loved one is living with cancer and struggling emotionally, help is available.

👉 Click Here to schedule a confidential consultation with Jabali Health today to receive compassionate, clinically informed mental health support.

REFERENCES

Krebber, A. M., Buffart, L. M., Kleijn, G., Riepma, I. C., De Bree, R., Leemans, C. R., Becker, A., Brug, J., Van Straten, A., Cuijpers, P., & Verdonck‐de Leeuw, I. M. (2013). Prevalence of depression in cancer patients: A meta‐analysis of diagnostic interviews and self‐report instruments. Psycho-Oncology, 23(2), 121-130. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3409

Lawrence. (2017, September 25). Depression in many cancer patients may go undiagnosed. CancerNetwork - Oncology News and Clinical Expertise. https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/depression-many-cancer-patients-may-go-undiagnosed

Mejareh, Z. N., Abdollahi, B., Hoseinipalangi, Z., Jeze, M. S., Hosseinifard, H., Rafiei, S., Aghajani, F., Dehnad, A., Ardakani, M. F., Ahmadi, S., Anbarhassani, H., Asl, M. T., Kan, F. P., Aryankhesal, A., Shabaninejad, H., Aghalou, S., & Ghashghaee, A. (2021). Global, regional, and national prevalence of depression among cancer patients. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(6), 527-535. https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_77_21

NIMH. (2023). Major depression. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression

WHO. (2025, August 29). Depressive disorder (depression). World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression