Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
Published on: May 17, 2024
Exploring the potential link between ADHD, anxiety, autism, and cancer risk
Shreya Wajapeyee1, Kristina Ford1, Romi Gupta2,3
1Department of Pediatrics Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, United States.
None:
Neurodevelopmental and mental health disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders (AD) are increasingly being studied for their potential links to cancer risk. In this review, we present evidence indicating that ASD alone is not strongly associated with an increased risk of cancer. However, elevated risk is observed in subgroups with co-occurring intellectual disability or congenital anomalies. For ADHD, no direct biological link to cancer has been established, though behavioral factors and medication use remain areas of concern. Anxiety disorders may contribute indirectly to cancer risk through chronic stress and associated health behaviors, with some studies suggesting increased risk for specific cancers, such as prostate or urological cancers. Overall, this review highlights that increased cancer risk appears to be more closely related to co-occurring conditions and lifestyle factors than to the primary diagnoses themselves.
Related Concept Videos
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Human Genetics
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder

