Mental Health Status in Patients Who has Undergone Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Psychological distress, including anxiety and depression, is common among cancer patients and can impact treatment outcomes and quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate anxiety and depression levels in post-treatment cancer patients using the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 screening tools.

Material and Methods: 42 patients with various carcinoma types undergoing radiotherapy were assessed. Demographic data, cancer type, treatment details, and responses to GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires were collected. A descriptive analysis of anxiety and depression symptoms was performed.

Results: The cohort had a mean age of 56 years and was predominantly female, with breast carcinoma being the most frequent diagnosis. Most patients reported minimal anxiety and depressive symptoms. Total PHQ-9 scores ranged from 0 to 8, with the majority scoring in the minimal depression range. GAD-7 responses similarly indicated low anxiety levels. These findings suggest that the post-treatment group exhibits psychological resilience.

Conclusion: Despite the known psychological burden of cancer, most patients in this cohort exhibited low anxiety and depression levels post-radiotherapy. Routine use of brief screening tools like GAD-7 and PHQ-9 can facilitate early identification of psychological distress and guide timely interventions to improve survivorship care.