Vancouver study examines impact of mental health upon lung cancer survival rates

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      When it comes to health, the mind-body link has long been discussed and it may seem obvious that mental health would have an impact upon physical conditions.

      While the relationship between emotional distress and lung cancer survival rates has been of scientific interest for decades, longterm research has been limited. Unfortunately, previous studies have also produced inconsistent and conflicting results.

      A study by the University of British Columbia and the B.C. Cancer Agency, published in this month's Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, delved deeper into this subject.

      In 2004, the B.C. Cancer Agency in Vancouver and Surrey began conducting a routine screening program for emotional distress. The results were added to the patient's chart. Over 80 percent of stage three lung cancer patients are referred to BCCA for radiotherapy, which is the predominant treatment for this type of cancer and the BCCA is the sole source for radiotherapy in the province.

      Consequently, the study used 684 patients who were receiving treatment at the B.C. Cancer Agency in Vancouver and Surrey for stage three non-small cell lung cancer. The survival rate of this cancer is only 30 to 46 percent after one year. Lung cancer is also the third most frequent type of cancer and most patients are former or current smokers.

      Patients were 68 years old on average, equal in gender representation, and 79 percent were white.

      The researchers found that patients reporting greater levels of anxiety and depression after their cancer diagnosis did have a higher risk of mortality.

      While the research confirms there is a relationship between mental health and lung cancer survival rates, the study's senior author, Dr. Robert Olson, pointed out in a news release that it does not establish whether or not high levels of anxiety or depression actually caused worse health outcomes.

      "It is likely that other unmeasured factors that correlate with high anxiety and depression, such as less social support, could play a role,” Olson stated. “However, the relationship that we found is significant, and certainly worth further exploration into whether interventions to improve anxiety and depression in lung cancer patients can improve survival rates.”

      The researchers acknowledged that the study did not examine the smoking habits of patients after cancer diagnoses, and explained that their anxiety or depression could be affected by continuation of smoking or struggles to quit.

      Nonetheless, the study does emphasize the need for cancer treatment to go beyond physical issues and factor in consideration of mental health as well.

      “Our study confirms that there is indeed a link for lung cancer patients, and that it’s important for health-care providers to treat not only their tumour but also focus on the full emotional experience of the patient,” study lead author Andrea Vodermaier stated.

      The researchers are now examining how mental health impacts the survival rates of prostate cancer patients.

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook

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