Depression and cancer

Depression in patients with cancer can present a challenging clinical problem for both general practitioners and the oncology team. Detecting depression in a patient with cancer, who may be debilitated and in pain, can be difficult. Cancer treatments can complicate antidepressant choices. Community-based psychologists are an important resource for helping manage less complex and less severe psychological problems that can arise in the cancer setting. Specialist psycho-oncology services (where available) can help with more complex and severe presentations of depression by advising on the prescription of antidepressants and providing psychotherapy programs that address the patient's psychological orientation and needs and consider the patient's cancer type and stage.