Incidence and temporal trends of depression and anxiety following cancer diagnosis in Japan

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among cancer patients have been widely reported, but less is known about their incidence and temporal trends. The longitudinal LIFE study at Kyushu University (Fukuoka, Japan) found that the crude incidence rates of depression and anxiety after a new cancer diagnosis were 3.36 and 3.11 per 1000 person-months. Depression peaked in the second month after the cancer diagnosis, while anxiety peaked in the first month. The authors conclude that these findings provide valuable insights into the burden and timing of mental disorders among cancer patients in Japan.