COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO MANAGE DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER - RESEARCH AND THEORETICAL INITIATIVES

The incidence of depression is rising worldwide, possibly due to urban crowding and insufficient resources. This pandemic mises the possibil ity that disabling depression among patients with cancer will increase . Already, about one-third of patients with cancer present with depres sion. Although many progressive cancer centers are instituting psychoo ncology services, the projected decline in numbers of psychiatrists in the coming decade suggests that these programs may flounder unless nu rses are able to provide adjuvant support. Consequently, this article describes the theoretical and emerging research data base regarding th e treatment of cancer-related depression with cognitive-behavioral the rapy. implications drawn from this review suggest that nurses can take an active role in preventing and managing cancer-related depression i n direct care environments by developing critical pathways far screeni ng, prevention, treatment, and outcomes assessment using theory-based research.