Depression in cancer.

00:16: Disclaimer
00:55 My little project
05:32 A patient story
10:42 Evidence on the association between depression and cancer
12:55 The 4 categories of risk factors that lead to comorbidities among cancer patients

Disclaimers:
1. All identified patient details have been modified to protect patient confidentiality.
2. No information shall be used as medical advice.
3. Everything remains my personal opinion.

In this episode, I wanna tell you guys about a little quest that I'm on and how there's an association between cancer and depression. I also share with you guys some patient stories as well as how I felt during those conversations.

References & recommanded reading
1. Bray, F., Laversanne, M., Weiderpass, E. and Soerjomataram, I. (2021). The ever‐increasing importance of cancer as a leading cause of premature death worldwide. Cancer, 127(16).
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Music credit: C418 Subwoofer Lullaby

[Mary.]

At this very moment, what the patient finds hardest to part with are, of course, her loved ones and family. However, at its core, it is her inability to leave this wonderful world. Visits from family only serve as temporary pain relief. The fundamental solution lies in the professional treatment methods provided by psychiatrists, which help her understand the progression of events step by step, slowly come to terms with it, and better arrange her final days. It may sound cruel, but it is very realistic.

[Mary.]

Listening to your patient describe how her past beautiful life turned to nothing at the moment of diagnosis, and how she doesn't know how to face the future and the pain her family will feel from losing her, reminds me of the main character in the book "Conversations with God." He was once a successful entrepreneur and host, but in his 40s, a failed business venture turned him into a beggar, digging through trash cans for food. Eventually, he had a chance to get back on his feet, moving from the cold streets to a small room just a few square meters in size. He questioned God: "Why are you so unfair to me? Do I, who have worked so hard, deserve to live in such a small space?"

[Mary.]

So I want to ask: What kind of person needs psychological treatment, and why didn't he ask questions when he was rummaging through the trash for food? Then I got the answer: Cancer patients need psychological treatment the most at this moment. Even if it's just you quietly sitting by their side and listening.