Depression and Cancer
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| Michelle Riba, M.D. |
Tuesday, April 22nd
7:00-8:30 p.m
Multi-Purpose Room
Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown
353 S. Fifth Avenue
Millions of Americans of all ages are living with a current or past diagnosis of cancer. People who face a cancer diagnosis will experience many stresses and emotional upheavals. Still, not everyone with cancer becomes depressed. However, for those who may have experienced depression before the diagnosis of cancer, or who may develop it after the cancer is identified, their depression may impact the course of their disease and their ability to participate in treatment.
Often symptoms of depression or anxiety are very similar to the problems that patients may have with the cancer itself, its treatment, or its side effects. For example, not having an appetite or feeling very fatigued may be related to the cancer, but could also be related to the depression. So, it’s important to identify the depression if it exists, and then treat both illnesses together. Treatment of depression can help people to better manage both diseases, thus enhancing quality of life.
To this end, specialists from the University of Michigan Depression Center and Cancer Center are working together to better diagnose and treat depression in those with cancer – most notably through the development of the U-M PsychOncology Clinic, where psychiatric services are offered to patients on-site in the Cancer Center as part of their ongoing treatment.
To provide greater understanding of the interactions between depression and cancer, the University of Michigan Depression Center and the Ann Arbor Public Library will present a Bright Nights community forum entitled, “Depression and Cancer” on Tuesday, April 22nd, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Branch (corner of S. Fifth Ave. and William).
Michelle Riba, M.D., Director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center PsychOncology Program, and Associate Chair for Integrated Medicine and Psychiatry Services, U-M Department of Psychiatry, will present a brief overview of research findings on the co-occurrence of depression and cancer. This will be followed by questions from the audience and a discussion with expert panelists.
Bright Nights is open to the public and there is no charge for attendance. For more information contact Trish Meyer, 763-7495, or meyerpa@umich.edu.
