By Sharon Worcester
Source Medscape
Depression and anxiety were not associated with outcomes for most cancer types, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, and alcohol-related cancer, according to findings from a large, individual participant data meta-analysis.
An exception was for lung and smoking-related cancers, but key covariates appeared to explain the relationship between depression, anxiety, and these cancer types, the investigators reported.
The findings challenge a common theory that depression and anxiety increase cancer risk and should “change current thinking,” they argue.