Sadness is a feeling caused by lack or character, the absence of joy. In some beliefs, many people believe that this feeling can be directly related to the cause of cancer. Thinking about it, scientists at the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands analyzed data and research that could give a definitive answer as to whether or not grief causes a type of cancer.
The study drew on data from 320,000 people from the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom and Norway. The result of the research denied any evidence that depression, anxiety, or any kind of sadness can increase a person’s chances of developing some type of tumor. Of the 320,000 adults analyzed in the studies, 25,000 had some form of cancer, but the diagnosis was not related to depression or anxiety.
Depression and specific tumors
Although sadness has no effect on the development of cancers in general, scientists have observed in lung and throat cancer a certain effect of depression and anxiety, due to the presence of other factors such as smoking and alcohol abuse.
The study was published in the scientific journal American Cancer Society. The study authors concluded that tumor development and grief in general are not directly related. “We found no evidence of a relationship between depression or anxiety and cancer in general (…)”.
Sad woman (Photo: Reproduction/Secrets of the World)
Depression
According to the Ministry of Health, depression in Brazil is a disease prevalent in the general population. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is common in people at the end of the third decade of life, and its cause may be related to heredity or stressful events throughout life. Some of the symptoms are: depressed mood, lack of energy, insomnia, lack of appetite and decreased libido.
Featured image: depressed woman. Run / your health.
Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.