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Updated: May 16, 2026
06:46
Competing-Risk Nomogram for Predicting Cancer-Specific Survival in Multiple Primary Colorectal Cancer Patients after Surgery
Published on: September 27, 2024
Association between Depression and Risk of Colorectal Cancer and Polyps: A Prospective Cohort Study from the Nurses'
Peenaprapa Tangpradubkiat1, Andrea L Roberts2, Bethsaida Cardona1,3
1Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Summary
Depression is linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and conventional adenomas. However, the association with serrated polyps requires further investigation, suggesting a complex relationship.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Depression is a significant global health issue.
- Chronic stress and depression may influence cancer development, including colorectal cancer (CRC).
- Existing evidence on depression and CRC is inconsistent, with limited data on colorectal polyps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between depression and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC).
- To examine the relationship between depression and the incidence of colorectal adenomas and serrated polyps.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 91,383 women from the Nurses' Health Study II (1993-2019) for CRC and 62,237 women (1993-2017) for polyps.
- Depression defined by Mental Health Index-5 score, antidepressant use, or physician diagnosis.
- Multivariable Cox models and logistic regression used to estimate hazard and odds ratios.
Main Results:
- A modest inverse association was found between depression and CRC risk (HR=0.76).
- Depression was inversely associated with overall and large conventional adenomas (OR=0.76).
- No consistent association was observed with serrated polyps, though some analyses suggested potential positive associations.
Conclusions:
- Depression shows an inverse association with colorectal cancer and large conventional adenomas.
- The relationship between depression and serrated polyps is unclear and warrants further research.
- Findings suggest complexity in the link between depression and colorectal carcinogenesis, possibly involving different neoplastic pathways.
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