• Contemporary ClinicContemporary Clinic
  • OTC GuideOTC Guide
  • Pharmacy Times
  • PTCEPTCE
  • Pharmacist Moms GroupPharmacist Moms Group
News
All News
FDA Updates
Press Releases
Media
All Videos
Digital Detail
Independent Corner
Insights
Interviews
MEDcast
Medical World News
Microsites
Peer Exchange
Perfect Consult
Podcasts
Practice Pearls
Sponsored Webcast
Student Voices
Webinars/Webcasts
Conferences
Conference Coverage
Conference Listing
Publications
Pharmacy Times
Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology
Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems
Pharmacy Careers
All Publications
About the Publications
Author Submission
Submit to Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology
Submit to Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems
Become a Peer Reviewer
Supplements & Featured Publications
Clinical
503B Compounding Pharmacy
ADHD
Allergy
Alzheimer Disease
Anxiety
Asthma
Atopic Dermatitis
Biosimilars
Bipolar Disorder
Brain Health
Breast Cancer
C. Difficile
COPD
COVID-19
Cardiovascular Health
Cervical Cancer
Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholesterol
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Classical Hematology
Colorectal Cancer
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Cough and Cold
Depression
Dermatology
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Dry Eye Disease
Epilepsy
Eye Care
Flu
Future of Pharmacy
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal Health
Gout
HER2 Breast Cancer
HIV
Heart Failure
Hematology
Hepatitis/MASH
Immunization
Immuno-oncology
Immunoglobulins
Infectious Disease
Lung Cancer
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Mental Health
Migraine
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Sclerosis
Myelofibrosis
Neurology
Neutropenia
Osteoporosis
Ovarian Cancer
Pain Management
Parkinson Disease
Pediatrics
Pharmacy Heroes
Pharmacy Management
Pneumococcal
PrEP
Prostate Cancer
Psoriasis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psychedelics
Reimbursement
Reproductive Health
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Shingles
Skin Cancer
Sleep
Travel Vaccines
Veterinary Pharmacy
Vitamins and Supplements
Weight Management
Women's Health
Events
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Webinars
CE
Resources
Clinical Forum
Cou-Co
Educated Patient
Information for the Pharmacist
Interactive Tools
Partners
Sponsored
Whiteboards
Subscribe
logo
Spotlight
Community/RetailHospitalOncologyPharmacy TechnicianStudent
Clinical Role
Community/RetailHospitalOncologyPharmacy TechnicianSpecialty PharmacyStudent
Clinical
CoronavirusBrain HealthCardiovascular HealthDermatologyDiabetesFluHeart FailureHepatitis/MASHImmunizationMigrainePneumococcalVitamins and Supplements
Supplement Spotlight
October 2023 Pharmacy Technician Edition
All News
FDA Updates
Press Releases
All Videos
Digital Detail
Independent Corner
Insights
Interviews
MEDcast
Medical World News
Microsites
Peer Exchange
Perfect Consult
Podcasts
Practice Pearls
Sponsored Webcast
Student Voices
Webinars/Webcasts
Conference Coverage
Conference Listing
Pharmacy Times
Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology
Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems
Pharmacy Careers
All Publications
About the Publications
Author Submission
Submit to Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Oncology
Submit to Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems
Become a Peer Reviewer
Supplements & Featured Publications
503B Compounding Pharmacy
ADHD
Allergy
Alzheimer Disease
Anxiety
Asthma
Atopic Dermatitis
Biosimilars
Bipolar Disorder
Brain Health
Breast Cancer
C. Difficile
COPD
COVID-19
Cardiovascular Health
Cervical Cancer
Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholesterol
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Classical Hematology
Colorectal Cancer
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Cough and Cold
Depression
Dermatology
Diabetes
Digestive Health
Dry Eye Disease
Epilepsy
Eye Care
Flu
Future of Pharmacy
Gastrointestinal Cancer
Gastrointestinal Health
Gout
HER2 Breast Cancer
HIV
Heart Failure
Hematology
Hepatitis/MASH
Immunization
Immuno-oncology
Immunoglobulins
Infectious Disease
Lung Cancer
Lymphoma
Macular Degeneration
Mental Health
Migraine
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple Sclerosis
Myelofibrosis
Neurology
Neutropenia
Osteoporosis
Ovarian Cancer
Pain Management
Parkinson Disease
Pediatrics
Pharmacy Heroes
Pharmacy Management
Pneumococcal
PrEP
Prostate Cancer
Psoriasis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psychedelics
Reimbursement
Reproductive Health
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Shingles
Skin Cancer
Sleep
Travel Vaccines
Veterinary Pharmacy
Vitamins and Supplements
Weight Management
Women's Health
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Webinars
CE
Clinical Forum
Cou-Co
Educated Patient
Information for the Pharmacist
Interactive Tools
Partners
Sponsored
Whiteboards
Subscribe
Advertisement

CLINICAL ROLE -

Community/Retail
| Hospital
| Oncology
| Pharmacy Technician
| Student

News

Article

August 8, 2023

Depression, Anxiety Linked to Increased Risk of Developing Lung, Smoking-Related Cancers

Author(s):

Gillian McGovern, Associate Editor

Though an association was found between depression and anxiety and lung cancers, there were no connections found to overall, breast, prostate, colorectal, and alcohol-related cancers.

Depression and anxiety were thought to increase a person’s risk of developing cancer; however, new research indicates that is not the case. A study published in Cancer evaluated 18 patient cohorts who struggled with either depression or anxiety. Patients would follow up with physicians at 5, 10, 15, and 20 years to examine whether they had cancer (e.g., overall, breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, alcohol-related, and smoking-related cancers).1

Depressed, anxious woman | nenetus | stock.adobe.com

Depressed, anxious woman | nenetus | stock.adobe.com

Previously, experts had suspected that depression and anxiety may increase the risk of cancer either because of the effect of mental health individuals’ health-related behaviors or biological effects on the body that potentially support cancer development. Although some research had supported an association between depression, anxiety, and cancer incidence, other investigations found no association or no insignificant associations.2

Further, covariates including weekly alcohol intake, antidepressant use, body mass index (BMI), hours of physical activity per week, smoking status, and family history of cancer were taken into consideration, with study results being adjusted if necessary.1

The study consisted of 2 stages, with the first stage using Cox regression models in each cohort, and the second stage combining results in random-effects meta-analyses. Depression and anxiety were conceptualized and analyzed based on diagnoses (clinical interviews or results scoring above a clinically validated cutoff on self-report questionnaires) and symptoms (assessed by self-report questionnaires). Participants who either had a history of cancer or had cancer were excluded, unless it was (nonmelanoma) skin cancer.1

Results indicate that anxiety and depression were not associated with an increased risk of overall cancers (e.g., breast, prostate, colorectal, or alcohol-related cancers); however, the presence of depression or anxiety was associated with a 6% higher risk of developing lung cancer and smoking-related cancers. This risk was substantially reduced after adjusting for other cancer-related risk factors including smoking, alcohol use, and BMI. The study results support the importance of addressing tobacco smoking and other unhealthy behaviors including those that may develop as a result of anxiety or depression.2

The lack of association between anxiety and depression and all cancers is inconsistent with previous meta-analyses, which is likely due to the higher consistency in covariates included in the current study’s models across all cohorts, the unlikely presence of publication bias in meta-analyses, and the current study’s large sample size, according to the authors. Additionally, cancer diagnosis was based on registry information in all cohorts, meaning that data on malignancy, site, and time of diagnosis were influenced less by recall bias.1

Other subtypes of cancer (e.g., non-small cell lung cancer) were not considered in the study. Further, the researchers note that data on anxiety and depression were patient-provided, and that more chronic forms may be at a higher risk of cancer.1

The results from the study may help health professionals alleviate any feelings of guilt in self-blame in patients with cancer who blame previous depression or anxiety for their diagnosis.

“Our results may come as a relief to many patients with cancer who believe their diagnosis is attributed to previous anxiety or depression,” said Lonneke A. van Tuijl, PhD, of the University Medical Center Groningen, in a press release. “However, further research is needed to understand exactly how depression, anxiety, health behaviors, and lung cancer are related.”2

References

1. van Tuijl L, Basten M, Pan K, et al. Depression, anxiety, and the risk of cancer: An individual participant data meta-analysis. Cancer, 2023. doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34853

2. Wiley. Robust analysis challenges theory that depression and anxiety cause cancer risk. News release. August 7, 2023. Accessed on August 8, 2023.

Related Videos
Happy elderly patient with medical health checkup with cardiologist or geriatric doctor. Senior old aging woman with coronary artery heart disease or cardiac illness check-up in clinic - Image credit: Chinnapong | stock.adobe.com
Pharmacist and patient in a retail/community pharmacy setting -- Image credit: Zamrznuti tonovi | stock.adobe.com
Image credit: Photo18@desing | stock.dobe.com
Related Content
Advertisement
Red blood cells | Image Credit: © fotogurmespb - stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

Interferon Lowers Myelofibrosis Risk in Young Patients With Polycythemia Vera, Essential Thrombocytopenia

Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor
pharmacy focus oncology edition
May 12th 2025

Insights from a Pharmacy Times Peer Exchange: Emerging ADCs and Real-World Management

Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor
Microscopic cellular structure of chronic lymphocytic leukemia | Image Credit: ©AI Photo Stock - stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

Real-World Study Shows Comparable Survival Outcomes With First-Line Ibrutinib in High-Risk and Non-High-Risk CLL/SLL

Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor
Pharmacists Can Be At the Forefront of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Management
May 6th 2025

Pharmacists Can Be At the Forefront of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Management

Aislinn Antrim, Managing Editor Craig Beavers, PharmD, FACC, FAHA, FCCP, BCCP, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, CACP
Human brain digital illustration. Electrical activity, flashes and lightning on a blue background - Image credit: Siarhei | stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to Oligonucleotide Therapeutic for Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Kennedy Ferruggia, Assistant Editor
Psilocybin -- Image credit: TaylerDerden | stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

The Promise of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder

Craig Kimble, PharmD, MBA, MS, BCACP, TTS Alberto Coustasse, DrPH, MD, MBA, MPH
Related Content
Advertisement
Red blood cells | Image Credit: © fotogurmespb - stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

Interferon Lowers Myelofibrosis Risk in Young Patients With Polycythemia Vera, Essential Thrombocytopenia

Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor
pharmacy focus oncology edition
May 12th 2025

Insights from a Pharmacy Times Peer Exchange: Emerging ADCs and Real-World Management

Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor
Microscopic cellular structure of chronic lymphocytic leukemia | Image Credit: ©AI Photo Stock - stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

Real-World Study Shows Comparable Survival Outcomes With First-Line Ibrutinib in High-Risk and Non-High-Risk CLL/SLL

Alexandra Gerlach, Associate Editor
Pharmacists Can Be At the Forefront of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Management
May 6th 2025

Pharmacists Can Be At the Forefront of Cardio-Kidney-Metabolic Management

Aislinn Antrim, Managing Editor Craig Beavers, PharmD, FACC, FAHA, FCCP, BCCP, BCPS-AQ Cardiology, CACP
Human brain digital illustration. Electrical activity, flashes and lightning on a blue background - Image credit: Siarhei | stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to Oligonucleotide Therapeutic for Spinocerebellar Ataxia

Kennedy Ferruggia, Assistant Editor
Psilocybin -- Image credit: TaylerDerden | stock.adobe.com
May 15th 2025

The Promise of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Opioid Use Disorder

Craig Kimble, PharmD, MBA, MS, BCACP, TTS Alberto Coustasse, DrPH, MD, MBA, MPH
Consent Preferences
About Us
Clinical Forums
Advertise
Contact Us
Editorial Staff
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Do Not Sell My Information
Contact Info

2 Commerce Drive
Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-716-7777

© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.