Depression And The Factors Affecting The Quality Of Life In Cancer Patients

This descriptive and cross sectional study was conducted to assess the depression and the quality of life (QoL) in cancer patient. The sample of the study consisted of 102 the patients with cancer, treated at Medical Oncology Department of, between 1-30 March 2008. WHOQOL –Brief was used to evaluate the patients’ quality of life. Depression status was evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Of the interviewees, 57.8% were male (n=59), 42.2% were female (n=43), and the mean age was 49.7± 15.2. The mean value of Beck depresyon was found as 12.4±9.9 (min=0, max=48). According to the BDI, 47.1% (n=48) were normal, 21.6% (n=22) mild, 18.6% (n=19) moderate and 12.7% (n=13) were severely depressed respectively. The gender, occupation, education and marital status of the people with cancer had not effected the depression (p>0.05). When we compared the QoL scores and depression status, there was a significant difference in perception of overall health and the satisfaction from life (p=0.000), general health and quality of life (p=0.000), physical health (p=0.011), social relationships (p=0.000), psychological health (p=0.001)) and environmental (p=0.000) between the depressive people and non-depressive ones statistically. Assessing quality of life in cancer patient will provide better understanding of the disease and will improve the evaluation of the therapy response. Anxiety and depression are the major concerns in cancer patient and it is necessary to understand these problems in order to cope with them, and psychological aid is essential.