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The Relationship Between Diagnosed Cancer and Self-Reported Distress and Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study Using
Kylie Sloan1, Dimpho Orionzi1, Ulrike Muench1
1Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Psycho-Oncology
|April 2, 2026
Summary
Cancer survivors in the U.S. experienced high rates of mental health issues, but not more than those without a cancer diagnosis. Equitable mental health screening is recommended for all adults.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Cancer diagnosis is a significant life event for many U.S. adults.
- Mental health challenges are frequently observed following a cancer diagnosis.
- This study examined the link between cancer history and mental health in 2020.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between a cancer diagnosis and self-reported mental health outcomes.
- To determine if race, ethnicity, and sex influence the relationship between cancer and mental health.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 2020 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data from 8,754 U.S. adults.
- Employed logistic regression analyses to assess the association between cancer diagnosis and psychological distress/depression.
- Controlled for demographic, sociodemographic, and health-related factors, including interaction terms for race, ethnicity, and sex.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of moderate/serious psychological distress was 22.4% for adults with cancer versus 24.1% without.
- Prevalence of depression symptoms was 19.5% for adults with cancer versus 19.9% without.
- No statistically significant association was found between cancer diagnosis and mental health outcomes; race, ethnicity, and sex did not moderate this relationship.
Conclusions:
- Adults with cancer in 2020 reported high distress and depression but were not more likely than those without cancer to report these outcomes.
- Routine and equitable mental health screening is crucial in oncology and primary care settings.
- Future research should address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and explore disparities by race, ethnicity, and sex in cancer and mental health.
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