Psychosocial aspects of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Lung cancer is one of the commonest cancers in the industrialised world, and persons with this grave disease must deal not only with the physical effects but also with the psychosocial aspects. METHODS This review is based on an examination of intervention, prospective and case-control studies with more than 50 participants published between 1966 and 2003. RESULTS The studies show that on average one out of four persons with lung cancer experience periods of depression or other psychosocial problems during their illness. Persons who are not offered treatment for their cancer and persons with small-cell lung cancer have a higher risk compared to other groups of lung cancer patients. The degree of depression can be reduced by psychosocial interventions. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that psychosocial screening of persons with lung cancer could prevent depression and might result in improved quality of care.