Addressing misconceptions about cancer diagnosis and past mental health issues

Do depression and anxiety influence the risk for cancer?

While some believe that depression and anxiety can amplify the risk of cancer, the scientific consensus on this remains murky.

A comprehensive review of numerous studies originating from Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK has indicated that there’s no significant connection between depression, anxiety, and an increased risk for the majority of cancers.

The findings have been released in CANCER, a reputable journal overseen by the American Cancer Society.

Cancer risk factors

It has long been speculated that mood disorders like depression and anxiety could possibly intensify cancer risks either through influencing health habits or due to their potential biological impacts that might contribute to cancer. Various studies have, at times, suggested a correlation, while others have refuted it.

To shed more light on the matter, Dr. Lonneke A. van Tuijl from the University Medical Center Groningen and her team tapped into the resources of the Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence consortium.

This international database comprises data from 18 forward-looking study groups and covers over 300,000 adults spanning the aforementioned countries.

Upon analysis, they did not find any noteworthy links between mood disorders and common cancers like breast, prostate, colorectal, and those related to alcohol, even with a monitoring period extending to 26 years.

Real reasons behind the lung cancer and depression correlation

However, they noted a marginal 6% increased risk of lung and smoking-related cancers in individuals with depression or anxiety.

Yet, when they adjusted for other risk variables like smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and body weight, this risk dwindled significantly.

Thus, the research underscores the significance of mitigating factors like smoking, especially if they’re habits stemming from mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.

Dr. van Tuijl commented, “Our results may come as a relief to many patients with cancer who believe their diagnosis is attributed to previous anxiety or depression.

“However, further research is needed to understand exactly how depression, anxiety, health behaviors, and lung cancer are related.”

Source: 10.1002/cncr.34853

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