Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in Canada and a major cause of death for both males and females. Along with the physical challenges of CRC, patients also experience mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, which can greatly affect their overall health and well-being. Given the unique relationship between mental health conditions (anxiety/depression) and CRC, I will be using big (i.e., large-scale) healthcare data to look at how CRC patients are treated for mental health, including what types of care they receive (i.e., prescription medications and psychological treatments). From these big healthcare data, I will also evaluate whether there is a relationship between taking antidepressants and the risk of CRC. Additionally, I will review data from CRC clinical trials to determine whether mental health is being considered in CRC clinical trials and among the participants enrolled in them. Altogether, my project will advance the understanding of the different aspects of mental health and its treatments in CRC patients. My project also has the potential to bridge research, awareness-raising, and advocacy for the mental health needs of CRC patients at the community, provincial, and national levels.