Tackling Depression May Extend Life

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BioMed Central

Tackling depression in cancer patients can extend life

A study recommended by Spiegel of Faculty of 1000 Medicine

(www.f1000medicine.com), looks at the relationship between

depression care management and survival rates in older patients. He

identifies it as " an important and well-conducted study of the

effects of treatment of depression on survival in a primary care

setting "

A leading authority on mind-body interactions and professor of

psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford University, Spiegel

evaluates the research published in the ls of Internal Medicine,

stressing the finding that " Comorbid depression shortens survival

time with cancer, and intervention with medication and psychotherapy

can therefore extend survival among cancer patients. "

The better survival rates were not seen in patients with depression

and cardiovascular disease, only in those with cancer. Spiegel notes

that this " is surprising given the well-known link between

depression and poor cardiovascular disease outcome " .

He concludes, " Vigorous diagnosis and treatment programs for

comorbid depression in cancer patients should, based on this study,

extend survival time. "

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