Poster from APOS meeting, Annaheim, California, February 2011

1. P1-54 - How Many People With Cancer Related Distress or
Depression Want Professional Help For Their Condition?
Alex J Mitchell Consultant in Psycho-oncology Karen Lord PhD Candidate & CNS Paul Symonds Reader in Oncology
From the Department of Cancer & Molecular Medicine, University Hospitals Leicester (UK) & University of Leicester ajm80@le.ac.uk
OBJECTIVES
The prevalence rates of people wanting clinical help for psychosocial problems is much debated. Most studies
suggest only the minority want formal help. This is important as resources should be tailored to those in need and
wishing to receive help.
METHODS
We analysed data collected from Leicester Cancer Centre
from 2008-2009 involving approximately 1000 people
approached by a research nurse and two therapeutic
radiographers. Of those approached we collected data on
738 presentations, that is people seen up to three times over
9 months during treatment for cancer.
We had complete data on 580 presentations (431 British
White vs 149 British South Asian). We examined the
following factors: treatment intent (radical vs palliative),
gender, ethnicity, cancer type, cancer duration. We
examined desire for help using the Help Thermometer where
a cut-off of 3v4 indicated desire for clinical help.
RESULTS
Most people suffering current distress or depression wanted professional help. The minority of those with minor
depression wanted help. More patients who rated their ethnicity as British South Asian wanted help compared with
those who were British White.
Whole Group
161 people had major or minor depression. Of these 90 wanted help (55.9%)
72 people had major depression. Of these 52 wanted help (72.2%)
96 people had minor depression. Of these 38 wanted help (39.6%)
231 people had distress on the DT. Of these 163 wanted help (70.6%)
331 had no depression and of these 61 wanted help (18%).
British White
111 people had major or minor depression. Of these 50 wanted help (45%)
41 people had major depression. Of these 26 wanted help (63.4%)
70 people had minor depression. Of these 24 wanted help (34.2%)
141 people had distress on the DT. Of these 90 wanted help (63.8%)
British South Asian
50 people had major or minor depression. Of these 40 wanted help (80%) [Chi² = 17.1 P < 0.0001]
29 people had major depression. Of these 26 wanted help (89.6%) [Chi² = 6.12 P = 0.01]
21 people had minor depression. Of these 14 wanted help (66.67%) [Chi² = 6.96 P = 0.01]
90 people had distress on the DT. Of these 73 wanted help (81.1%) [Chi² = 7.89 P = 0.01]
CONCLUSIONS
In our clinically representative diverse sample, 56% with any depression and 71% with distress
were willing to consider help for their condition. However in Asian patients with major
depression nearly 90% wanted help. More BSA patients wanted help with comparable levels of
depression.
ACKNOLWEDGEMENT Funding from Hope against Cancer WEBSITE: www.psycho-oncology.info