BMC Study Reveals Strong two way relationship Between Anxiety and Cancer Risk

But the reverse was also true, where the patients diagnosed with cancer were 63% more likely to develop an anxiety disorder than individuals without cancer (AHR = 1.63; CI: 1.56–1.71). Again, specific cancer types appeared to have a more pronounced effect. The patients with nose cancer had over three times the risk of developing anxiety (AHR: 3.12; CI: 2.41–4.03). Other cancers with strong associations included leukemia (AHR: 2.54; CI: 1.63–3.96), thyroid cancer (AHR: 2.34; CI: 1.84–2.97), and oral cancer (AHR: 2.04; CI: 1.65–2.52).

While the exact mechanisms behind this bidirectional relationship remain unclear, the results point towards chronic stress, inflammation, hormonal changes, and shared biological pathways that may all play roles in linking these two conditions. Overall, these findings illuminate the importance of psychological evaluation in cancer patients and vigilant physical health screening in those with chronic anxiety.

Recognizing the two-way relationship can help guide early intervention and integrated treatment approaches. Further studies could lead to better screening programs and encourage collaboration between oncology and mental health services.

Reference:

Yen, S.-H., Hsu, Y.-H., Phiri, D., Kuo, C.-C., Fang, H.-F., & Chung, M.-H. (2025). Bidirectional relationship between anxiety disorder and cancer: a longitudinal population-based cohort study. BMC Cancer, 25(1), 761. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-13930-6