Patients who are diagnosed with cancer are at increased risk for suicide, particularly during the first 6 months after diagnosis, a JAMA Psychiatry study finds.
Using a U.K. cancer registry and death certificate data, researchers studied 4.7 million adults who were diagnosed with malignant tumors over two decades. Of these, some 2500 died by suicide. People with a cancer diagnosis had a 20% increased risk for suicide relative to the general population, which translated to 0.19 excess deaths per 10,000 person-years.
Mesothelioma conferred the greatest risk, followed by cancers of the pancreas, esophagus, lung, and stomach. Overall, suicide risk was highest in the first 6 months after diagnosis, and it remained increased up to 3 years after diagnosis.
The researchers conclude that the findings “suggest a need for improved psychological support for all patients with cancer, and attention to modifiable risk factors, such as pain, particularly in specific cancer groups.”
The findings of this study suggest a need for improved psychological support for all patients with cancer, and attention to modifiable risk factors, such as pain, particularly in specific cancer groups.
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Source: JAMA & NEJM jorunal watch
