Do depression and anxiety impact people’s interest in cancer screening uptake? Cross-sectional analysis of the Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) 6 cycle

Cancer screening leads to reduced cancer mortality. Depression and anxiety impact decision-making and may result in less interest in cancer screening (ICS), which is one of the motivators of cancer screening uptake. We examined the association between depression and anxiety and ICS. We analyzed the data of 4,512 respondents in the Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) 6 cycle 3. Multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to calculate for the adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals on the association between depression, anxiety, and respondents’ ICS. Overall, depression and anxiety were not significantly associated (OR=1.17, 95% CI: 0.81-1.70) with interest in cancer screening. However, among people 40 – 60 years of age, those who reported moderate/severe depression and anxiety were 33% (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.46-0.99) significantly less likely to be interested in cancer screening compared to those with normal/mild depression and anxiety. The study suggests the need for intentional efforts to improve ICS in people aged 40-60 years who report depression and anxiety.