Annals of PIMS ISSN:1815-2287 Ann. Pak. Inst. Med. Sci. 2017 83 Frequency of Depression Among Cancer Patients Robina Mushtaq 1 , Ambreen Ansar 1 , Anwar Bibi 1 , Hamna Khurram 2 , Jazib Ali 2 , Ayesha Islam 2 , Farwa Saleem 2 , Khalid Hussain 2 , Iqra Tariq 2 Author`s Affiliation 1 Assistant Professor Community Medicine, Wah Medical College, University of Health Sciences 2 Medical students, Wah Medical College, University of Health Sciences Author`s Contribution 1,2 Manuscript Writing, Robina Mushtaq, 3 Data Analysis Robina Mushtaq, Ambreen Ansar 2.3.4,5 Discussion and Analysis Robina Mushtaq, Ambreen Ansar, Anwar Bibi, 5, 6 Help in Literature search and References Hamna, Jazib, Ayesha, Farwa, Khalid, Iqra Article Info Received:April 4,2016 Accepted:Feb 21,2017 How to Cite this Manuscript Mushtaq R, Ansar A, Bibi A, Khurram H, Ali J, Islam A et al. Frequency of Depression Among Cancer Patients. Ann. Pak. Inst. Med. Sci. 2017; 13(1):83-87 Funding Source: Nil Conflict of Interest: Nil Address of Correspondence Robina Rizvi robinarizvi@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Objective: The study was conducted to determine the frequency of depression among cancer patients and its relationship with duration and stage of cancer. Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study, conducted at POF hospital Wah Cantt, DHQ Hospital Rawalpindi and NORI Islamabad. A total of 116 patients were selected (patients at the terminal stages were excluded) and provided with questionnaire made by using the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) for assessment of depression in cancer patients. The data was analyzed by using SPSS-v19 and chi-square test was applied to determine the significance of results. Results: Out of 116 patients, there were 72 males and 44 females. About 58% patients were having depression in 116 selected patients. Sixty percent males and 57% females had the depression. The frequency of depression was significantly high in stage III (80%) as compare to stage I and II (31% and 56%, p-value 0.000). Frequency of depression significantly increases with duration of cancer (p-value 0.001). Conclusion: Depression was common among patients in advanced stages of cancer and in those surviving longer after diagnosis. Key words: Cancer, Depression, Anxiety, Patients, BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) Introduction Cancer is a term used to describe a group of diseases characterized by an abnormal growth of cells which have the ability to invade adjacent tissues and even distant organs. 1 Cancer patients suffer from both bodily as well as psychosomatic symptoms. There are numerous types and variations of depressive disorders, but the common clinical manifestations are depressed mood, persistent body aches, loss of pleasure in work and life, easy fatigability and sleep as well as appetite disturbances. Taking into account depressive disorders among cancer patients is important because of its commonness, cost and colossal effects on the personality. 2 - 6 Depressive disorders are well-known in patients suffering from chronic fatal diseases. Cancer survivors are more prone to such disorders because of prolonged bodily symptoms, high cost of treatment and fear of re- emergence. Delay in the diagnosis of major depression among cancer patients leads to worsening of the quality of daily living, longer stay in hospitals and reduces their conformity with management. 3, 4, 7, 8 There are many difficulties in making a diagnosis of psychological problems among cancer patients. These comprise of apprehension regarding mental illness, distraction from cancer treatment, scarcity of time and facilities for mental health appraisal, and lack of team work between oncologists and psychiatrists. 9 Over the last few years, many efforts have been made in order to improve screening procedures, but at present no ORIGINAL ARTICLE