Project Summary

Josee Savard, Ph.D. (Young Investigator 2004) of Laval University, notes that evidence suggest that depression is a significant problem in patients with prostate cancer. Hormone therapy, which is commonly administered in conjunction with local treatment (e.g. radiotherapy) for prostate cancer, may be an important factor in the development of depression. Dr. Savard is conducting the first longitudinal (long-term), controlled study of men receiving hormone therapy and to date results support this hypothesis. He plans evaluate the evolution of depressive symptoms in men treated with radiotherapy (combined or not combined with hormone therapy) over a one year period. He will also compare men receiving radiotherapy combine with hormone therapy to me receiving only radiotherapy on depressive symptoms; evaluate the impact of hormone therapy cessation on depressive symptom; and assess the relationship between symptoms and changes in testosterone levels. Using a clinical interview and self-report questionnaire assessing depression every 2 months as well measuring testosterone, he will study a group of 75 mean with prostate cancer over a one-year period.

Program Area: MOOD DISORDERS\Unipolar Depression

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