Prevalence and determinants of depression in Lebanese patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study

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Background: Depression is a significant but often overlooked concern among individuals with cancer, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where psychosocial services are less integrated compared with high-income countries. Identifying its prevalence and associated factors is essential to improve patient outcomes. This study explored depression severity and willingness to seek psychological support among Lebanese patients with cancer. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the oncology departments of Hammoud Hospital University Medical Center and Mount Lebanon Hospital. A total of 133 adult patients completed structured questionnaires covering sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial characteristics. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Associations were examined using chi-square and Fisher exact tests, and multivariable logistic regression identified independent predictors of depression severity and willingness to seek psychological help. Results: Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were observed in 16.7% of participants. Poorer Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was strongly associated with higher depression severity (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 4.43, 95% confidence interval 2.11–9.31, P < .001). Only 31.6% of patients expressed willingness to seek psychological support. Independent predictors of willingness included physician communication about emotional concerns (AOR = 0.22, P = .004), psychiatric medication use (AOR = 0.12, P = .015), and group support (AOR = 0.06, P = .016). Conclusion: Depression affects a considerable proportion of Lebanese patients with cancer and is closely tied to functional status. Willingness to seek psychological help remains limited but is enhanced by physician communication, group support, and prior psychiatric treatment. In low- and middle-income countries such as Lebanon, where psychosocial oncology services are less developed compared with high-income countries, integrating routine depression screening, fostering physician-patient dialogue, and expanding access to psychosocial interventions are critical steps to improve emotional well-being and overall cancer care.