Mdedge Psychcast

David Henry, MD, host of the Blood & Cancer podcast, joins Psychcast host Lorenzo Norris, MD, to discuss steps clinicians can take to alleviate the distress associated with receiving a diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Henry is clinical professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He has no disclosures. Dr. Norris is director of consult liaison psychiatry at George Washington University, Washington. He has no disclosures. Take-home points Cancer patients have always been susceptible to developing depression and anxiety after receiving their distressing diagnoses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the risk for depression and anxiety are even greater because patients face separation from their oncology treatment teams and for some, delays in treatment. Major depressive disorder (MDD) occurs in up to one-third of cancer patients, and any depressive disorder can be seen in about half. Another concern is how to screen for depression in the context of cancer. Dr. Norris suggests using the Patient