Depression & Breast Cancer

 October was breast cancer awareness month. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 (13%) will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 1 in 39 (3%) will die from breast cancer. (American Cancer Society, 2020).   Managing breast cancer can be both emotionally and physically exhausting. Breast cancer treatments such as Arimidex, Aromosin, Evista, Fareston, Fasoldex, Femara, and Tamoxifen may contribute to depression (Breastcancer.org, 2020).    Managing a serious health condition such as depression can be emotionally and physically taxing.  There is much loss associated with cancer- loss of organs, loss of hair, changes in body that are not addressed with chemotherapy. Therapy services in conjunction with cancer treatments can improve overall emotional and mental health functioning. 

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, noted below are some helpful websites that may provide support.

Helpful Websites

https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2019-2020.pdf

https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/depression

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-support-groups

https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/SupportGroups.html

Author's Bio:  Dr. Erica Miller is a licensed clinical social worker based in Florida. Visit

https://www.ericamillercounseling.com/about-us for more information.