"Monsters are real, ghosts are real too, // They live inside us, and sometimes, they win."

"Cancer patients with depression 'are being overlooked'"

By: Smitha Mundasad

Source: BBC News

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-28954661

The article explains how depression can affect the chances of surviving cancer. The article mentions how three quarters of cancer patients who suffer from depression do not receive the psychological therapy they need, because the main particular focus is on the physical symptoms. Researchers argue that depression in cancer patients is often overlooked, but could be treated at a fraction of the cost of cancer drugs. People often mistake depression for sadness, but the two are completely different. Depression is a clinical term, and most of the time when people say they are depressed, they technically mean that they are sad. Sadness is emotional pain associated with, or characterized by feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, helplessness, or sorrow. Depression is when one feels that they are testing their limits all the time. They fear to explain what they feel, at the risk of crossing the line of what people around them are comfortable hearing. They worry about driving people away by their constant negativity. Depression can make people feel like their minds have rebelled and taken over. Depression is being sad when life in general is on the right track. It is the feeling one cannot escape, and eventually become numb to. People often think that depression is a side effect of cancer, but surely it is not. Researchers, now report that a new nurse-led treatment designed specifically for cancer patients, could reduce depressive symptoms and help thousands of people. Those suffering from cancer are more likely to suffer from depression rather people from the general population, but those with cancer report symptoms of depression because they do not receive treatment partly because they did not consider seeking help and professionals did not pick up on their illness. The costs for treatment and therapy are also quite expensive, and Jacqui Graves, says: "It is heart-breaking to think cancer patients who are already dealing with the toughest fight of their lives are also struggling with depression, without adequate support" (Mundasad, 1).

This article is important to read because it raises the awareness of true depression and cancer-related depression. It helps clarify the difference between sadness and depression. The article also raises awareness to charity and calls out to those who suffer from depression.