How Can Antidepressants Aid Cancer Care?

People diagnosed with cancer can often face mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. This article explains how antidepressants can help reduce the mental health burden in cancer care. It also covers how these treatments interact with cancer therapies and the importance of addressing mental health alongside physical treatment.

Mental Health Challenges Are Common During Cancer

Up to 60% of people with cancer experience emotional distress. Around 25–30% are diagnosed with psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, or difficulty adjusting to the new lifestyle. Depression and anxiety are not just side effects of cancer; they can worsen quality of life or delay seeking treatment.

That’s why integrating mental health care into cancer treatment is essential. However, research shows that mental health is often underdiagnosed and undertreated in cancer patients.

Antidepressants May Improve Psychological and Physical Symptoms

Several studies confirm that antidepressants can effectively manage moderate to severe depression in people with cancer. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are among the most used antidepressants due to their effectiveness and low side effects.

Beyond treating depression, antidepressants can help with symptoms that often come with cancer and its treatment:

• Fatigue: Medications like bupropion (Wellbutrin) have stimulating effects and may improve energy and concentration.

• Nerve pain: medications like duloxetine (Cymbalta) can relieve nerve pain from chemotherapy.

• Sleep issues and appetite loss: Mirtazapine (Remeron, Organon) may improve sleep, reduce nausea, and boost appetite.

• Hot flashes: SSRIs and SNRIs have shown success in managing hot flashes, particularly for people on hormonal therapies.

These added benefits make antidepressants a useful option for people experiencing multiple symptoms related to cancer.

Avoiding Drug Interactions for Better Outcomes

People with cancer often take many medications. Some antidepressants can interact with chemotherapy or hormone treatments. For example, if an antidepressant interacts in the metabolism of a chemotherapy treatment, the effect could range from: neither working to potentiation of an unexpected side effect. 

This is why doctors must evaluate each person’s full treatment plan when prescribing antidepressants. If a medication you are taking interacts with a new one, keep in mind there are always options, not only for medication for mental health, but also for cancer care. 

SSRIs Might Offer Protective Effects Against Certain Cancers

Some large studies suggest SSRIs could reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. For example:

• A 39% lower risk of oral cancer in people who used SSRIs

• Reduced rates of liver cancer with fluoxetine and sertraline use.

These findings are still being researched, but they highlight the need to look at the broader effects of these treatments.

Are Guidelines For Mental Health In Cancer Used?

While there are mental health guidelines for cancer care, these are not consistently used. Some doctors may not recognize when emotional symptoms go beyond expected distress, and some hospitals lack dedicated mental health services. This gap in care means many patients who could benefit from antidepressants or therapy never receive them. Training providers to identify mental health issues and creating better connections between oncology and mental health services could improve outcomes.

A Holistic Approach to Cancer Treatment

Combining antidepressant treatment with counseling or therapy offers the best results. Collaborative care, where psychological and medical support are integrated, can reduce symptoms and improve daily activities.

When using antidepressants, especially with anti-cancer treatment, it’s also important to:

• Start at low doses to reduce side effects
• Choose medications based on the symptoms (energy loss, insomnia, anxiety)
• Monitor closely for drug interactions
• Reevaluate regularly to adjust treatment

Remember that it may take 2–4 weeks to notice improvement and 4–6 weeks for the full effect. Always consult with your healthcare team about possible interactions with your current treatment, and if you notice discomfort or anything out of the ordinary, seek advice before discontinuing treatment on your own. 

Final Thoughts

Mental health care is a crucial but often overlooked part of cancer treatment. Antidepressants can relieve psychological symptoms and support overall well-being. When used carefully and with proper guidance, they can also help manage physical symptoms like pain, fatigue, and hot flashes. Ensuring these therapies are part of a personalized, integrated care plan can make a meaningful difference in patients’ quality of life.

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Sources: 

• Holistic Pharmacological treatment of cancer patients with psychiatric symptoms: a systematic review. 
• The use of antidepressants in oncology