Exploration of environmental and genetic factors associated with prognosis in gastric and colorectal cancer survivors

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K10463
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58020:Hygiene and public health-related: including laboratory approach
• Research Institution: Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute
• Principal Investigator: Oze Isao 愛知県がんセンター(研究所), がん予防研究分野, 主任研究員 (00584509)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 胃がん / 大腸がん / がんサバイバー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We examined the associations between psychological states, such as depression, and socioeconomic factors among gastric and colorectal cancer survivors. At the time of cancer diagnosis, the prevalence of depression, as measured by the K6 questionnaire with a score of 10 or above, was 10.1%. This percentage decreased to 7.4% at the one-year follow-up. However, the proportion of individuals experiencing latent anxiety increased from 20.1% to 36.9% during the same period. The number of individuals providing social support was associated with lower depression scores. Interestingly, female patients consistently maintained their levels of social support after their cancer diagnosis. In contrast, male survivors showed a tendency for a decrease in the number of supporters.

Free Research Field

がん疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

胃がん・大腸がんは現在日本で最も罹患者数の多いがんであり、がんと診断された後に生存しているがんサバイバーの数も多い。がんサバイバーの抱える問題のうち、しばしば問題になるのが抑うつである。本研究結果は社会的サポートの充実の大切さを示すものであり、病院の相談支援体制やがんサバイバー同士のピアサポートなどの取り組みが重要であることを示唆する。また、社会的サポートが不十分な人を見逃さないような支援体制が必要であることも示した。