Depresion has proved to increase the dying chances of cancer patients ten times more than those who do not experience this.Researches found 26 studies with a total of 9417 patients that examined the effects of depression on patients cancer progression and survival. Death rates increased 25% higher in patients experiencing depressive symptoms and 39% higher in those diagnosed with minor or major depression.

"We found an increased risk of death in patients who report more depressive symptoms than others and also in patients who have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder compared to patients who have not," said Satin.

This statistics indicates that depression is a silent killer that can actually plays a vital role in shortening the life span of their survival.However, investigations note that the actual risk of death associated with depression in cancer patients is still small and there is nothing to be frightened. Patients need to develop a positive attitude towards life. A number of studies have already shown that an individual's mental attitude can reflect on their physical health. Trying to identifying the symptoms of depression at the early stage will help the drug therapy to get out of the spiral of depression. Nevertheless, study indicates that it is important for physicians to screen cancer patients regularly and provide appropriate treatments.