Depression may make people less responsive to cancer treatment
Monday, December 19, 2016 IST
A new study conducted by researchers states that depression can possibly make people less responsive to chemotherapy.
The findings, presented at ESMO Asia 2016 Congress in Singapore, stated that cancer patients suffering depression have decreased amounts of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in their blood.
Low levels make people less responsive to cancer drugs and less tolerant of their side-effects.
Patients with severe depression had lower levels of the protein in the blood so their bodies were not as effective at fighting cancer.
This reduced their chance of surviving the disease."It's crucial doctors pay more attention to the mood and emotional state of patients.
Depression can reduce the effects of chemotherapy and BDNF plays an important role in this process," said lead study author Yufeng Wu from Zhengzhou University in China.
BDNF is essential for healthy brain function and low levels have already been linked with mental illness.
This study aimed to discover how depression influenced outcomes for people with advanced lung cancer.
The researchers recruited 186 newly diagnosed patients receiving chemotherapy.
Related Topics
Related News & Articles
Researchers at the Boston University have discovered a protein, found on the exterior of a bacteria, which can be used to provide a better and more effective protec...
Recently posted . 906 views . 22 min read
Breast cancer is a phrase no woman wants to hear from their doctor. Yet one in seven will hear those words, some for the second time. What can we do to protect ou...
Recently posted . 757 views . 2 min read
Bollywood actress and Virat Kohli's wife Anushka Sharma is said to be suffering from a bulging disc. Here's all you need to know about the condition, incl...
Recently posted . 984 views . 2 min read
A robotic duck, which is currently undergoing testing, can provide comfort, help them cope with treatment, and distract them from what they’re going through.<...
Recently posted . 820 views . 1 min read
OPD in-charge Prof Manish Bajpai of the King George's Medical University (KGMU), has identified three miscreants in the video and issued a directive to terminat...
Recently posted . 898 views . 2 min read
Trending News & Articles
Lung cancer is usually not noticeable during the early stages. Most people are diagnosed when the disease is at an advanced stage. According to Cancer.org, it is ...
Recently posted . 7K views . 2 min read
The health benefits of wood apple include [1] relief from constipation, indigestion, peptic ulcer, piles, respiratory problems, diarrhea, and dysentery. It also b...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Bael, also known as the “Wood Apple”, is a species native to India. The bael tree is considered to be sacred to the Hindus. A famous drink known as sh...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
Do you know what milia are? Milia is a skin condition which causes the appearance of small white hard bumps on the skin which usually appear on the face, neck or ch...
Recently posted . 4K views . 2 min read
More in Food & Health
With so many people suffering from anxiety and stress nowadays, solutions for these conditions have become a priority in our society. If you simply do an online s...
Recently posted. 922 views . 3 min read
When life throws curve balls your way, you can either duck and complain or use it as an opportunity to turn your life around. Something similar happened with 28-yea...
Recently posted. 824 views . 3 min read
Probably a lot of you actually know how the banana peels can be used in your home. They are some of the most important utilizes in your home:
Recently posted. 1K views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 651 views
Recently posted . 880 views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 99 min read
Recently posted . 1K views . 140 min read
It's Sanjay Dutt's birthday today, and it's high time you get a taste of his signature chicken dish.
Recently posted. 1K views . 0 min read
If you want to be healthier, to live longer, to have energy and not to have back problem, then Moringa herb is the right thing for you. It originates from South A...
Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read