A new study from the University of Michigan reveals that individuals diagnosed with cancer between ages 15 and 39 experience persistent mental health struggles, particularly elevated depression and anxiety, throughout their lives. While anxiety symptoms tend to stabilize in later years, depression remains significantly higher compared to peers.
Published in JAMA Network Open, the research analyzed data from nearly 40,000 participants over age 50, drawn from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study. Participants were grouped by cancer history: adolescent/young adult survivors, adult cancer survivors, and those with no cancer history. Mental health assessments focused on depression and anxiety symptoms.
The study found a pronounced “U-shaped” pattern in depression levels over the lifespan, with adolescent and young adult cancer survivors showing the highest and most persistent symptoms. Anxiety symptoms, however, tended to level off over time, suggesting some development of resilience among survivors.
These survivors also face unique challenges in middle and older adulthood, including fertility issues, cardiotoxicity, and financial burdens, which contribute to their mental health difficulties. The research highlights the critical need for ongoing psychological support tailored to this population, especially as their numbers continue to grow.
“A continuous mental health support system is essential to improve quality of life for young cancer survivors,” said Anao Zhang, U-M associate professor of social work and lead author.
The study underscores the importance for cancer clinicians to recognize and address the long-term mental health burden faced by adolescent and young adult cancer survivors well into later adulthood.
Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute on Aging and the Social Security Administration. The research team included experts from U-M’s Eisenberg Family Depression Center and Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.
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