International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160     Impact Factor: 9.24

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Call for Paper Volume 8, Issue 4 (July-August 2026) Submit your research before last 3 days of August to publish your research paper in the issue of July-August.

Prevalence and Impact of Depression in Cancer Patients: A Narrative Review

Author(s) Ms. Palak Gulati, Dr. Rajratan Gupta, Dr. Mamta Verma
Country India
Abstract Depression is a frequently reported but often unaddressed comorbidity in cancer patients. Despite being well-documented in the literature, it remains under-recognised in most clinical settings, particularly in developing countries. This narrative review was conducted to examine how common depression is among cancer patients globally, and to look more closely at the situation in developing nations, specifically in India. It also explores the consequences of depression on cancer outcomes, including its effects on quality of life, treatment adherence, survival, and the well-being of family caregivers. Three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were searched for English-language articles published between 2016 and 2026, using relevant MeSH terms and keywords related to depression, cancer, prevalence, and psychosocial care. Thirty-three articles were included. The available evidence points to a global prevalence of around 27%, though this figure varies widely depending on the assessment tool, cancer type, and clinical setting. In low- and middle-income countries, the rates appear to be consistently higher. In India, it is further complicated by cultural stigma, the absence of standardised screening, and limited psychosocial infrastructure. The review highlights the need for early screening and integrated psychosocial support in oncology care and argues that nurse-led interventions could offer a practical and scalable approach, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Keywords depression, neoplasms, prevalence, developing countries, oncology nursing
Published In Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On 2026-06-06
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.80679

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