Scientists have linked childhood cancer to anxiety and depression in adulthood
Almost half of adults who had cancer in childhood experienced clinically significant symptoms of depression, and more than 40% experienced anxiety and severe fatigue. The researchers came to these conclusions after studying the condition of 132 adults who had cancer at an early age. The psychological and cognitive difficulties they face years later are described in the Izvestia article.
Almost half of adults have experienced depression
The researchers studied the condition of 132 people between the ages of 18 and 40 who had cancer in childhood. 49% of the participants showed clinically significant symptoms of depression, 41% — symptoms of anxiety.
Another 43% of participants reported severe fatigue, while 28% experienced cognitive difficulties. At the same time, the researchers assessed not only the presence of individual symptoms, but also how much they affected the daily lives of adults.
The work has shown that the consequences of a serious illness suffered in childhood can persist even after the end of the main period of illness. The results of the study are published in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer (SCC).
Magnus Aasved Hjort, Doctor of the Department of Pediatric Oncology and Blood Diseases at the St. Olaf Hospital Children's Clinic
Decades ago, all children who developed acute leukemia died. Today, we manage to save the lives of more than 90% of them. The fact that we can save so many lives is a huge success in medicine.
Cancer Survivors Face Anxiety in Adulthood
Anxiety symptoms were common among the study participants: they were found in 41% of adults. Depressive symptoms were even more common — almost half of the surveyed.
Anna Franzen, a student at the Medical Faculty of the Norwegian University of Natural and Technical Sciences
It is well known that many children who survived childhood cancer face various health problems later in life, but the fact that so many of these children experience mental health difficulties in adulthood is a new discovery.
The researchers compared the obtained indicators with data from the general population of Norway. This comparison made it possible to assess the condition of the participants not only by themselves, but also relative to people of the same society who did not go through cancer in childhood.
The authors note that the psychological consequences may be related not only to the diagnosis itself. Long-term treatment, hospitalization, lifestyle disorders, and the need to undergo medical procedures at an early age can affect a person's condition.
Fatigue and memory problems also persisted.
In addition to anxiety and depression, the researchers paid attention to the physical and cognitive state of the participants. 43% of the surveyed noted severe fatigue, and 28% reported problems with cognitive functions.
Such difficulties can manifest themselves in everyday life in the form of problems with concentration, memorizing information, or performing several tasks simultaneously. For adults, this can affect their studies, work, and other habitual activities.
Anna Franzen
These functions are also extremely important for regulating emotions and thoughts. This means that a person may be less able to cope with negative thoughts and, therefore, more vulnerable to developing anxiety and depression.
Researchers consider it important to consider such symptoms along with the psychological state. High fatigue and cognitive impairments can exist simultaneously with anxiety and depression and additionally affect the quality of life.
The disease began in early childhood
Most of the participants suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of cancer in children. The disease was diagnosed at the age of 2 to 5 years, when the children were still in the early stages of development.
The treatment lasted about two years on average. During the first year, many participants spent a significant part of their time in the hospital undergoing intensive care and regular medical procedures. Thus, we were talking about a disease that had to be experienced during early childhood. The researchers suggested that such an experience could affect not only physical health, but also psychological and cognitive development in subsequent years.
Scientists urged to continue monitoring adults
The researchers note that the findings show the need for long-term follow-up of people who had cancer in childhood. Even years after the end of treatment, some adults still have symptoms that can affect their daily lives.
However, the work has limitations. 132 people between the ages of 18 and 40 participated in the study, so the results cannot be automatically extended to all people who suffered from childhood cancer.
In addition, the study shows the prevalence of symptoms in a particular group, but by itself does not allow us to determine which factors in childhood led to anxiety, depression, fatigue, or cognitive difficulties in adulthood. The authors believe that this requires further research and longer-term follow-up.
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