Breast Cancer Survivors at Increased Risk of Depression

The results of a new investigation, conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri on women who survived breast cancer, indicate that numerous factors conspire to make these individuals especially likely to suffer depressive episodes.

This study was primarily concentrated on determining how former breast cancer patients were influenced by income levels, age, children, martial status, and other such factors, when it came to assessing their risk of suffering from depression.

“Many women receive strong support following their initial diagnoses of and treatment for cancer, but then the social support can wane,” explains MU expert Dr. Ann Bettencourt. She is a professor of psychological sciences at the university, PsychCentral reports.

“Our findings suggest that both single women and mothers with children in the home may need additional support across the entire year following breast cancer diagnosis and treatment,” she concludes.