No association found with increased risk for most cancers
Enter 2023.08.08 16:10 Modify 2023.08.08 15:47 Hit 1 Enter 2023.08.08 16:10 Modify 2023.08.08 15:47 Hit 1
Do depression and anxiety really increase cancer risk? Studies have shown that depression and anxiety are not significantly associated with most types of cancer. [사진=게티이미지뱅크]Do depression and anxiety really increase cancer risk?
Opinions on this differ. Some experts cite the possibility that depression and anxiety may increase cancer risk by influencing individual health-related behaviors or biologically influencing cancer development. Other studies have shown no or negligible associations between depression and anxiety and cancer incidence.
In a new meta-analysis, researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands found that depression and anxiety were not linked to a higher risk of most types of cancer. “The results of this study can provide relief for many patients who believe that they have cancer because of a previous anxiety or depression,” said Dr. Lonike Van Tuisl.
The researchers looked at data from the International Psychosocial Factors and Cancer Incidence Consortium, which involved 18 research groups, in more than 300,000 adults in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Norway and Canada.
Over a follow-up period of up to 26 years, the researchers found no association between depression and anxiety and breast, prostate, colorectal, and alcohol-related cancers.
Having depression or anxiety was associated with a 6% higher risk of lung cancer and smoking-related cancers. However, these risks were significantly reduced when adjusting for other cancer-related risk factors, including smoking, drinking, and body mass index.
As a result, the analysis shows the importance of coping with smoking and other unhealthy behaviors that can occur as a result of anxiety and depression, rather than blaming oneself for having cancer because of anxiety and depression.
The study was published in the online edition of the journal Cancer. The original title is ‘Depression, Anxiety and the Risk of Cancer: An individual-participant data meta-analysis’.
2023-08-08 07:10:55
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