Exploring the unseen threat: the neglect of suicide risk in people with cancer

Suicide trends among patients with cancer in India over the past 24 years

“…We found that suicide rates among patients with cancer were higher than in the general population, which is consistent with many previous global studies. 4 7 For example, in a population-based cohort study of cancer survivors in the USA, it was observed that suicide rates among patients with cancer were higher than those in the general population. 8 However, in contrast, other studies have reported a reduced trend of suicide among individuals with cancer.…”

“… 7 Additionally, some socioeconomic and psychosocial factors, such as poverty, financial strain, limited access to healthcare services, poor quality of life and social isolation, are associated with an increased risk of suicide. 4 12 Some patients with cancer die by suicide due to these factors as they may not have stress-bearing abilities. Conversely, some survivors of childhood cancer develop psychological stress-coping abilities over time.…”

“…Research indicates that the risk of suicide is significantly greater among those affected by cancer compared with the general population. 4 However, the psychosocial challenges of patients with cancer remain insufficiently explored. 5 6 In particular, there is limited research on recent suicide trends among patients with cancer in India.…”

A commentary on “What can cause cancer patients to attempt suicide? Thiamine deficiency mimicking the symptoms of major depressive disorder”

“…Dear Editor, Suicide in people with cancer is often overlooked. Suicidal ideation is 10 times more prevalent in the cancer community -moreover, nearly one-fourth of people with cancer experience different levels of depression (Hosseini 2023). In the latest issue of Palliative & Supportive Care, Ishida et al reported an interesting case of a patient with cancer who appeared to have a suicide attempt, probably as a result of thiamine deficiency-related depressive disorder (Ishida et al 2024).…”