Anxiety & Depression Can Damage A Person's Immune Function, Damage DNA Repair

The Independent reports that "Depression linked to higher chance of dying from cancer." This only shows how emotional distress increases the chance of having cancer. Moreover, a study shows how it raises the risk of dying from the illness by a third.

Daily Mail reported that in the UK, one out of ten people are battling with anxiety or depression. A research related to it concludes the increase in the danger of death from pancreatic, bowel, and prostate cancer. This may be because sufferers are more likely to involve themselves in unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking, drinking and not including exercise in their lifestyle.

Aside from this, those who suffer from anxiety and depression die in large numbers from cancer and this is because such unhappiness is damaging to the body as its defense systems become vulnerable. Authors of the study from Edinburgh University, University College London, and the University of Sydney in Australia propose that emotional distress may damage DNA repair and hit the immune function.

NHS reported that there are several reasons why a person's mental health increases the risk of dying from cancer. Aside from unhealthy vices, such mental condition may also prevent someone from going to screening which is necessary as it spots an early sign of cancer, or stops them from having the proper treatment when they are sick.

A review about 16 related studies that took more than 163, 000 people in the United Kingdom, the researchers found out that those who are suffering from depression and anxiety had an alarming 32 percent higher risk of death from all kinds of cancer. This is true regardless of the sex, age, weight, education, status, and even despite the person used to drink or smoke.

However, this does not mean that people who have mental health concerns will die or will get cancer. Instead, this can only put them at a higher risk. Nevertheless, it's best to seek professional help.