Objective To explore the characteristics of psychological defense of cancer patients with depression and nursing intervention countermeasure.Methods Totaled of 70 cancer patients were tested by the questionnaires of SDS and DSQ and divided into two groups:study group and control group.Defense styles of two groups were compared..Results There were statistical differences between two groups in crude scores and standard scores of SDS (P <0.001 ).Mature defense style was helpful to improving the disease.Conclusions Cancer patients with depression use more immature defense style,and depression in patients with cancer defense mechanism is not different.Nursing intervention can reduce depression in patients,be beneficial to cancer patients with combined therapy,improve patients'quality of life. Key words: Cancer; Depression; Defense mechanism; Nursing intervention