Poor mental health is not a direct cause of cancer – although it may trigger carcinogenic behaviour, according to a major study published today.
The study of outcomes for 300,000 people found no link between a history of anxiety and depression and cancers of the breast, prostate, colorectal and alcohol related cancers.
There was a link with lung cancer but this was largely explained by smoking incidence, according to the study published in the journal Cancer.
The researchers say there has been a previous understanding that poor mental health may increase cancer risk. Alongside the risk of it causing poor lifestyle choices, it has been suggested it might reduce immunity.
The Dutch researchers examined data from 18 prospective study groups from the UK, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada.
Researcher Dr Lonneke van Tuijl, of the University Medical Center Groningen, said: “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 behaviours, and lung cancer are related.”
Depression, anxiety, and the risk of cancer: An individual participant data meta-analysis. Cancer 7 August 2023
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