Scientists say hard-pressed doctors fail to spot the signs.
The study, published in the British Journal of Oncology, found a 250,000 UK cancer patients have some kind of depression or anxiety. If patients' depression was picked up, they could be referred for counselling or specialist help. Over a third felt they might benefit from some kind of psychological support. But the 143 cancer specialists questioned estimated there were just a quarter of that number. The CRC is calling for doctors to receive standard training on communication with patients, so that they can find out whether they need help for depression or anxiety.