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Association Between Psychological Distress and Site-Specific Cancer Incidence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Shin Tae Kim1,2, Chun Il Park1,2, Jong Yeob Kim3
1Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Psycho-Oncology
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are linked to increased cancer risk. This meta-analysis found associations between these conditions and specific cancers, including lung, hematological, and hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Depression and anxiety are potential risk factors for chronic diseases, including cancer.
- Previous studies on the depression-anxiety-cancer link have yielded conflicting results.
- A comprehensive meta-analysis is needed to clarify this association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a meta-analysis of observational studies examining the relationship between depression, anxiety, and cancer incidence.
- To synthesize existing evidence and resolve discrepancies in prior research.
Main Methods:
- Inclusion of prospective and retrospective cohort studies from PubMed (searched March 2026).
- Assessment of publication bias using Egger's test and funnel plots.
- Random-effects model meta-analysis due to expected heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Combined analysis (prospective & retrospective): Elevated risk for lung, hepatobiliary-pancreatic (HBP), hematological, and kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) cancers.
- Prospective-only analysis: Elevated risk for female reproductive organ and lung cancers.
- Retrospective-only analysis: Elevated risk for lung, HBP, hematological, KUB, and oral cancers; lower risk for female reproductive organ cancer.
Conclusions:
- Depression and anxiety are associated with an increased risk of developing specific types of cancer.
- Further research using prospective cohort studies with standardized measures is recommended to refine understanding.
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