Dr. W. J. Alexander Gnanadurai
BACKGROUND In India, cervical carcinoma falls in the top ten leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. The latest technological growth has ensured that there is an early detection, treatment, and management of cervical cancer which has led to longer survival rates. A five-year survival rate is 0, 1A and 1B are 80%. The longer survival has increased the psychiatric morbidity and mortality in these patients. Anxiety and depression sadly go unnoticed and untreated. This study aims to understand the prevalence of depression, anxiety and suicidal intent among women affected by cervical carcinoma treated with radiotherapy. METHODS A cross sectional study was done by drawing consecutive samples from the patients with cancer cervix attending out-patient department of Radiotherapy from July 2016 to July 2017. They were screened using DSM-5 criteria for depression and anxiety. Patients satisfying the selection criteria and diagnosed with depression and anxiety were given a structured Performa to collect the socio demographic details, family history details, and clinical profile and (HAM-A); (HAM-D). CSSRS scales were administered. RESULTS Majority was in stage three (97%, n=65) and taking radiotherapy treatment alone (76.1%, n=51). A larger part of the participants was in the age group of 51 to 65 years (52.2%, n=35). Most of the participants (79.1%, n=53) lived in nuclear families. There is a positive and significant correlation of psychiatric morbidity with staging of cancer, treatment and duration of the disease, radiotherapy and surgery. New diagnosis of cervical cancer is related to moderate/severe anxiety or depression and suicidal intent. CONCLUSIONS Summarising the study, there is a correlation between the psychiatric morbidity, and suicidal ideation with staging, treatment and duration of the disease. Correlation tests between suicide ideation and other variables showed positive and significant correlation with duration of diagnosis, staging of cancer, radiotherapy and surgery. Cancers that had an advanced staging at the time of diagnosis were associated with a higher risk of suicide in the first twelve months of diagnosis. New diagnosis of cervical cancer is related to moderate/severe anxiety or depression.
