The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses is the professional body representing mental health nurses in Australia.
Ph: 02 6285 1078 Fax: 02 6285 2166 Email: executive@acmhn.org www.acmhn.org
The Australian Nursing Federation is the industrial and professional organisation for nurses and midwives in Australia
Canberra Office
Unit 3, 28 Eyre Street Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
PO Box 4239 Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
(T) + 61 2 6232 6533 (F) + 61 2 6232 6610
anfcanberra@anf.org.au
Melbourne Office
Level 1, 365 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
(T ) + 61 3 9602 8500 (F) + 61 3 9602 8567
anfmelbourne@anf.org.au
ANF Journals
Australian Nursing Journal
Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing
anj@anf.org.au ajan@anf.org.au
ABN 41 816 898 298
25 October 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
Urgent action needed to treat depression in cancer patients
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and the Australian Nursing
Federation are concerned that systematic failures are leading to a lack of
depression diagnosis for women with breast cancer.
Cancer is up to 25% more lethal when the patient also suffers from depression.
ANF assistant federal secretary Yvonne Chaperon said patients with cancer
continue to slip through the net in terms of mental health care. “These patients
are in constant contact with health professionals so this is totally an unnecessary
gap in the system,” she said.
“Depression jeopardises recovery,” said breast cancer survivor and CEO of the
Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, Kim Ryan. “Cancer patients require
optimum mental health in order to improve their physical health and recover
faster.”
“However in many cases patients are left to experience both the pain of physical
and mental illness.”
On Pink Ribbon Day, nurses urge an increase in awareness and action to help
women diagnosed with breast cancer who are also experiencing depression.
Furthermore nurses urge these patients to talk about, and seek help for, their
emotional distress.
Depression is a disabling illness that affects about 15% to 25% of cancer
patients. Death rates are a staggering 25% higher in cancer patients who
experience depression and 39% higher in cancer patients who received a
diagnosis of depression.
ANF assistant federal secretary Yvonne Chaperon said it is alarming that some
breast cancer patients suffering a mental illness only had their physical
condition cared for while debilitation depression and anxiety often went
untreated. “We need a holistic approach to healthcare. As it stands families of
patients are often left to fill the gap. They feel helpless as their loved one
experiences depression while also trying to cope with their physical illness.”
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses is the professional body representing mental health nurses in Australia.
Ph: 02 6285 1078 Fax: 02 6285 2166 Email: executive@acmhn.org www.acmhn.org
The Australian Nursing Federation is the industrial and professional organisation for nurses and midwives in Australia
Canberra Office
Unit 3, 28 Eyre Street Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
PO Box 4239 Kingston ACT 2604 Australia
(T) + 61 2 6232 6533 (F) + 61 2 6232 6610
anfcanberra@anf.org.au
Melbourne Office
Level 1, 365 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
(T ) + 61 3 9602 8500 (F) + 61 3 9602 8567
anfmelbourne@anf.org.au
ANF Journals
Australian Nursing Journal
Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing
anj@anf.org.au ajan@anf.org.au
ABN 41 816 898 298
Ms Chaperon said this lapse was unnecessary as nurses could provide that care.
“Nurses are the back bone of the health system and are uniquely placed to
intervene and, if necessary, refer that patient on.”
Ms Ryan said that all nurses need to have the skills to identify mental health
issues in their patients.
‘I was lucky that I had access to emotional support from family and friends as
well as professional support from my fellow mental health nurses. We must
make certain that no one is left to slip through the system without adequate
care,’ Ms Ryan said.
“Better training and education will ensure that nurses have the skills to
recognise the symptoms of depression and other common mental health issues
and assist with treatment and referral,” Ms Chaperon said.
Media contact:
Kim Ryan, CEO Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, 0417 289 189
Eleni Hale, media, Australian Nursing Federation, 0458 892 999
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