New study on mental health issues among young adults with cancer
A new study shows that young adults diagnosed with cancer often experience anxiety and depression for several years after their diagnosis. The researchers identify five different developmental patterns of anxiety and depression and highlight the importance of providing psychosocial support in cancer care.
The study, published in Cancer Medicine, examines how anxiety and depression develop in young adults during the first five years after a cancer diagnosis. The study includes over 1,000 individuals who were diagnosed with cancer before turning 40 (ages 18–39) with diagnoses such as brain tumors, breast cancer, cervical cancer, lymphoma, ovarian cancer, and testicular cancer. The study participants completed questionnaires at three different time points: 1.5, 3, and 5 years after diagnosis. The results show that symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in this group. The proportion experiencing clinical levels of anxiety (64%) was twice as high as the proportion with clinical levels of depression (31%).
The researchers identified five different trajectories of anxiety and depression: Stable cases, Stable non-cases, Improving, Worsening, and Fluctuating. Factors associated with several unfavorable trajectories were female sex, pre-diagnosis support for emotional issues, fatigue, and financial problems.
The study highlights that young adults treated for cancer are in a particularly vulnerable position, as they often undergo major life changes while also managing their illness. The researchers emphasize the importance of integrating psychosocial support into cancer care and identifying at-risk groups early to provide tailored interventions.
The study’s authors are Lars Sjödin, Sarah Marklund, Claudia Lampic, and Lena Wettergren.
Want to learn more? Read the full article here:
Sjödin, L., Marklund, S., Lampic, C., & Wettergren, L. (2025). Anxiety and depression trajectories in young adults up to 5 years after being diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Medicine, 14, e70715. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40047054/