A recent study published in the journal CANCER has found that adults who develop a mental health condition within the first year after being diagnosed with cancer face a higher risk of death in the years following their diagnosis. The research, conducted by examining data from University of California–affiliated hospitals, included all adult patients diagnosed with cancer between 2013 and 2023 who had no prior documented mental health disorders.
Out of 371,189 patients studied, 39,687 individuals—representing about 10.6%—were diagnosed with a mental health disorder within one year of their cancer diagnosis. After adjusting for various factors that could influence outcomes, researchers found that these patients had a 51% higher risk of death during the first one to three years after their cancer diagnosis compared to those without such conditions. This increased risk lessened over time, dropping to a 17% higher risk after three to five years and eventually disappearing.
The authors highlight the importance of early identification and treatment of mental health issues among people recently diagnosed with cancer. "The findings support the importance of prompt screening and treatment of distress and mental health following a cancer diagnosis," according to the study.
