Mom's Depression About Breast Cancer Touches Kids
Friday March 9, 2007
Mothers who are fighting breast cancer and experiencing depression may pass on their concern and anxiety to their children. In a recent study, done at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, researchers found that children of breast cancer patients were likely to be worried about their mom and about the overall welfare of the family. "We need to think about the impact depression has on the breast cancer patient's entire family as she undergoes treatment for her cancer," said Beth R. Grabiak, who led the data analysis. "The oncology team's responsibility goes beyond treating the cancer alone," she said. "Spotting depression early and referring a mother to treatment has clear benefits for her entire family."
Comments
Breast cancer can be a profoundly negative experience for a subset of women, however, and these women need to be given additional help, because it is not typical to be depressed in the wake of this diagnosis. Women with a history of depression, other personal trauma, or those who have multiple additional social stressors, may be at increased risk for distress during illness.”