Evaluation of depression in colon cancer patients

Background: Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in both genders. Depression is the most frequently cancer related symptom and is a comorbid disabling syndrome that affects approximately 15-25% of cancer patients Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the frequency of depression’s occurrence in colon cancer patients and to evaluate associated factors . Method and material: The sample study included 79 colon cancer patients who received therapy in two hospitals in Northern Greece. Data was collected by using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Statistical analysis was carried out using parametric tests Results: From the 79 patients percentage of 59,5% were men and 40,5% were female. Analysis of data showed that 30,4% did not experience depression and 69,4% experience a symptom of clinical depression. Higher levels of depression were observed for public servants patients (p=0,044). It was found that divorced patients experienced higher levels of depression compared to married and unmarried patients. (p=0,034). Also, the results showed that those who had received secondary education had a significant higher level of depression (p=0,013) than others. Conclusions: The results help the nurses to the implementation of appropriate nursing interventions in order to alleviate colon cancer patients with depression. Also, nurses should cooperate with psychologists and this could lead to the improvement of the disease’s outcome and to the quality of patients’ life.

Author(s): Lavdaniti Maria

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