Feeling stressed or worried after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is common, but it can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being.

Some people with breast cancer develop depression or another mental health challenge, which may persist after the cancer has been treated.

Read on to learn more about breast cancer and depression, including strategies to find support.

Researchers have not shown that breast cancer causes depression directly, but feelings of depression and other mental health challenges are common in people with cancer.

A breast cancer diagnosis and treatment may negatively affect your mental health and emotional well-being in various ways. Getting treatment and support for these challenges is important.

A 2019 global meta-analysis found that roughly 32% of people with breast cancer experience depression, with about 13% experiencing major depression.

People with breast cancer may also experience other mental health challenges, such as:

  • stress
  • anxiety
  • body image challenges
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A 2019 review of 36 studies found that roughly 42% of people with breast cancer experience clinical anxiety. This is higher than the rate found in a 2015 review, which reported that anxiety affected 18–33% of people who had received treatment for breast cancer.

A 2020 review found that PTSD rates are as high as 32% in people with a history of breast cancer, with up to 75% experiencing at least one symptom of PTSD. This condition can develop in people who experience a traumatic event and may affect them for years after the event has passed.

Let your doctor know if you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health challenge.

Breast cancer may affect your mental health and emotional well-being in multiple ways.

Some research suggests that inflammation and immune system changes from cancer may affect your central nervous system in ways that may raise your depression risk. More research is needed to understand this link.

Breast cancer symptoms and treatment side effects may negatively affect your quality of life and mood. They may cause physical discomfort, impair your sleep, and limit your ability to do routine tasks or activities you enjoy.

Physical changes from breast cancer or treatments may affect your body image or sense of self.

The financial costs and time burdens of managing breast cancer may also cause stress. You may feel grief, anger, fear, or other negative emotions about how your life has changed.

You may find that your feelings about your breast cancer diagnosis shift over time.

Some days may be more challenging than others.

Breast cancer treatments may negatively or positively affect your mood.

On the one hand, side effects from chemotherapy and other treatments may cause short- or long-term mental changes that may affect your quality of life and mood. Treatment side effects may also cause physical discomfort, poor sleep, and emotional stress.

Some treatments may change how your breasts or other parts of your body look and feel, which may contribute to body image challenges.

On the other hand, treatment may help limit symptoms and complications from breast cancer and improve your long-term outlook. This may have benefits for your quality of life and mood.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about the potential benefits and risks of different treatments, including side effects that may affect your mental health, body image, or mood.

They can help you understand and manage the potential side effects of treatment.

Cancer recurrence happens when cancer returns following treatment.

Multiple factors may contribute to cancer recurrence. Research has not shown that depression or other mental health challenges directly cause cancer recurrence, but it may affect your risk of recurrence.

A 2020 review found that people with depression and anxiety had an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. More research is needed to confirm and understand this link.

Depression and other mental health challenges affect stress hormone levels and immune system function, which might increase the cancer recurrence risk.

It’s also possible that people with mental health challenges may find it harder to stick with their treatment plan and practice overall healthy habits.

Some people with mental health challenges smoke, drink alcohol, or use other recreational drugs to cope with their negative emotions. Studies have linked smoking to increased risk of breast cancer recurrence and reduced long-term survival. Research findings on alcohol consumption and breast cancer recurrence have been mixed.

Taking steps to support your mental health is important for improving your overall quality of life and might also improve your long-term outlook with breast cancer.

Let your doctor know if you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health challenge. They may prescribe medication, counseling, or a combination of both.

Your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist for counseling. Ask them whether they know of any counselors who specialize in treating people with cancer.

You can also find mental health treatment and support services by:

A 2019 review of nonpharmacological treatments found that psychological counseling significantly reduced depressive symptoms in people with breast cancer. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga also showed some benefits for reducing depressive symptoms.

You might also find it helpful to connect with a support group for people with breast cancer.

To find an online or local support group, talk with your doctor or connect with a nonprofit organization that provides support to people with breast cancer, such as:

Talk with your cancer care team or mental health counselor to learn about other strategies and resources for supporting your mental health and emotional well-being.

It’s normal to feel stressed or worried after receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, but chronic stress or depression can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being.

Let your doctor know if you think you may be experiencing depression or another mental health challenge. They may prescribe medication, counseling, or a combination of both.

You might also find it helpful to join a support group, talk with friends or family about how you’re feeling, or write in a journal about your experiences and emotions.

Practicing mindfulness meditation or other stress-relieving activities, taking part in activities you enjoy, and staying as active as possible may have benefits for your emotional well-being as well.