Citation

Rasic DT, Belik SL, Bolton JM, Chochinov HM, Sareen J. Psychooncology 2008; 17(7): 660-667.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/pon.1292

PMID

18050260

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the association between cancer diagnosis, mental disorders and suicidal behavior among community dwelling adults. METHODS: Data were drawn from the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.2 (N=36 984, response rate 77%, age 15+). Respondents were grouped into three age groups (15-54, 55-74, and 75+ years), and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between cancer and mental disorders: unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographics, social supports and other mental disorders. RESULTS: Among respondents aged 15-54, cancer was associated with increased odds of major depression (odds ratio [OR]=3.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.69-5.96), panic attacks (OR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.22-3.77) and any mental disorder. Among respondents aged 55-75, cancer was associated with increased odds of agoraphobia (OR=5.94; 95% CI: 1.68-21.03) and decreased odds of social phobia (OR=0.22; 95% CI: 0.06-0.80). Cancer was not associated with any mental disorder in the 75+ age group. Results persisted after adjustments for the covariates. Suicidal ideation was associated with cancer in the 55-74 age group (OR=5.07; 95% CI: 1.25-20.47) in unadjusted models; however, this relationship became non-significant when adjusting for the other covariates. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider screening for depression and panic disorder in young, community dwelling patients with cancer.

Language: en