Many people think that depression may cause cancer in the long run. However, French researchers say that the truth may just be the opposite.

In a study featured on Science Daily, psychiatrist Cédric Lemogne and his team analyzed medical data on 14,203 employees who had been a part of the GAZEL cohort of former employees of EDF-GDF [the gas and electricity companies] from1994 to 2009. Lemogne then measured the volunteers’ depression levels through specific questionnaires given every three years and through doctors' reports during days when the employees were absent from work.

While 1,119 participants were diagnosed with cancer during the study, Lemogne found no evidence that the cases were caused by depression. However, individuals who have already been diagnosed with the disease may be more prone to depression, in which case, support and encouragement from patients’ friends and family may prove significant.

(Photo by sanja gjenero via sxc.hu)