• A recent study published in eClinicalMedicine reveals that cancer survivors face elevated risks of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, non-fatal self-harm, and suicide, compared to cancer-free individuals. 

• Researchers conducted a cohort study using UK electronic health records from over 853,000 cancer survivors and 8.1 million cancer-free individuals. 

• The study focused on survivors of the 20 most common cancers and examined mental health outcomes over short, medium, and long-term follow-up.

• The methodology involved matching cancer survivors with cancer-free individuals based on age, sex, and general practice, and analyzing their risks for new mental health episodes using Cox regression models. 

• The results showed that survivors of cancers with poorer survival rates, such as lung and pancreatic cancers, experienced significantly higher risks of depression, anxiety, and self-harm. 

• These risks were highest within the first year after diagnosis but persisted for more than five years for many cancer types.

• The study concludes that cancer survivors need enhanced psychological support, especially those with poorer prognosis cancers. 

• The findings highlight the importance of addressing the long-term mental health impacts of cancer survivorship.

Click here to read more