A large study has found that cancer survivors in the United States are significantly more likely to use antidepressant and anxiolytic medications compared with adults without cancer, underscoring the ongoing mental health needs in this population.
The cross-sectional analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, drew on data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 2016–2018, including 53,117 adults aged 18–85 years, of whom 5,091 reported a history of cancer.
Key findings
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Cancer survivors reported taking antidepressants at a rate of 13.8% and anxiolytics at 14.5%, compared with 8.3% and 8.9% in adults without cancer.
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In unadjusted analyses, survivors had 77% higher odds of antidepressant use (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.60–1.97) and 72% higher odds of anxiolytic use (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.55–1.91).
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After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, odds remained elevated: antidepressants (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18–1.49) and anxiolytics (aOR 1.38, 95% CI 1.23–1.54).
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Disparities in use
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Non-Hispanic Black survivors had significantly lower odds of use than non-Hispanic White survivors—antidepressants (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.39–0.91) and anxiolytics (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42–0.94).
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Insurance status mattered: compared with privately insured survivors, those with Medicare (aOR 2.20 for anxiolytics; aOR 4.36 for antidepressants) and Medicaid (aOR 1.83 for anxiolytics; aOR 2.64 for antidepressants) showed higher odds of medication use.
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Being unmarried was also linked to higher odds of use (antidepressants aOR 1.45; anxiolytics aOR 1.41).
Cancer type differences
Survivors of brain and pancreatic cancers had particularly high adjusted odds compared with breast cancer survivors. Brain cancer was associated with aOR 5.59 for antidepressant use, while pancreatic cancer was linked to aOR 5.30 for antidepressant use and aOR 6.74 for anxiolytic use.
Implications for Practice
The authors noted that “While depression and anxiety are prevalent in the general population, our study underscores the association of a cancer diagnosis with the mental health of patients with cancer throughout the treatment process and beyond.
“A cancer diagnosis has short- and long-term psychological impacts on cancer survivors across the cancer continuum, as well as on their families. Therefore, treatment for mental health must be a priority during and after cancer care.”
Paper: Miro-Rivera D, Norris RA, Osazuwa-Peters OL, Hurst JH, Barnes JM, Osazuwa-Peters N. Differential Use of Depression and Anxiety Medications in Adults With a History of Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(8):e2527585. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.27585. Access online here.
