UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: To determine if mental disorders are contributing factors to cancer causation ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Methods: Stress is defined as any condition that harms the body and damages, breaks down or cause the death or mutations of the body cells. Common signs of depression are ((i) Lack of energy (ii) Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed (iii) Difficult thinking or concentrating (iv) Lack of sleep or oversleeping (v) suicidal thoughts. Depression can also be hidden by (a) Headache (b) Back pain (c) Stomach sickness. Health workers should assist patients to develop stress management strategies i,e (i) Stress education (ii) Anti-stress diet and nutritional supplements (iii) Relaxation techniques (iv) Physical activities. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Results: If the health workers are well trained and equipped in addressing patients with chronic stress and depression (this modern plaque) in our society will be reduced to manageable levels and health levels of citizens will greatly improve and improved productivity . Health care costs of prescribing drugs will also reduce. Patients can successfully be treated with very limited drugs or psychotherapy alone.