Cancer patients face increased risk of long-term mental health problems

People diagnosed with cancer are at high risk of developing mental health problems even five years after being diagnosed, according to extensive research from UK GPs.

Patterns vary by cancer type, with higher risks of suicide and nonfatal self-harm among less benign types of cancer, such as lung and colon cancers. pancreas.

The research was led by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and published in eClinical Medicine.

The team analyzed data from 853,177 adults diagnosed with cancer between 1998 and 2018, which was matched with 8,106,643 people without cancer for comparison.

The analysis looked at the 20 most common types of cancer: oral, esophageal, colon, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, lung, malignant melanoma, breast (female), cervix, uterus, ovaries, prostate, kidney, bladder, central nervous system, thyroid. , non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukemia.

They found that those diagnosed with cancer were at increased risk of developing new episodes of anxiety and depression, both in the short term and more than five years after diagnosis, compared to people who did not have cancer. The risks of adverse mental health outcomes were higher in people with less aggressive types of cancer: those with malignant melanoma were about 10-20% of anxiety and depression, while lung cancer patients were 3 times more likely to experience anxiety. depression, compared to people without cancer. Use of antidepressants remained higher in people diagnosed with cancer (compared to people without cancer) over 10 years after diagnosis. diagnosed with many cancers.

Of the 20 types of cancer studied, the researchers found that 17 types of cancer were more likely to self-harm, and 8 were more likely to die by suicide, compared to the same population. those who do not have cancer. Using anonymized GP electronic health records enabled the team to investigate this issue on a large scale, revealing detailed risk patterns based on the fact that many people report health issues. mind to give a complete picture of the situation affecting people with cancer. However, the researchers acknowledged limitations in the study, including the fact that the health data used rarely capture socio-economic factors that may be important causes of mental health and cancer. yes. For example, there is little or no information about finances, work and education.

It’s hard to face cancer without dealing with mental health issues like depression or anxiety that can last longer than the cancer itself. The physical and psychological effects of cancer must be viewed and supported as a whole.

People diagnosed with cancer may find these results useful if they are struggling with the long-term effects of cancer on their mental health; they are certainly not the only ones who experience mental health problems years after diagnosis.

Our findings suggest the need for improved psychosocial support for all cancer patients, not only when newly diagnosed, but in the following years.

We also need more prevention strategies. Cancer itself and its treatments can have a variety of side effects, including chronic pain, lymphedema, sexual dysfunction, poor mobility, financial instability or unemployment, all of which can affect people’s lives, which can lead to mental health problems.

By better understanding what happens to people during their cancer journey and when they are at high risk of developing mental health problems, decision makers, clinicians and caregivers are better placed to intervene or providing timely and accurate support. way.”

Dr Harriet Forbes, Learned Writer, Assistant Professor LSHTM

This study was funded by Wellcome.