Risk of Suicide After Cancer Diagnosis in England

Abstract

Key Points Question What is the risk of suicide after cancer diagnosis in England, and which subgroups of patients are most at risk? Findings In this population-based study of 4 722 099 adult patients with cancer, a 20% increased risk of suicide compared with the general population was noted, corresponding to 0.19 excess deaths per 10 000 person-years. Patients with mesothelioma, pancreatic, esophageal, and lung cancer had the highest risk. Meaning The first 6 months after diagnosis of cancer has been shown to be a critical period, identifying the time during which cancer care pathways should pay particular attention to the psychological health needs of the patients; as suicide is hard to predict, all patients should receive improved psychological support.

Risk factors associated with suicide among kidney cancer patients: A Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results analysis

“…In our study, a tendency of increased suicide rate with age was also observed, although without statistical association. As reported in previous studies, suicide risk among cancer patients varied by time after diagnosis, and elevated suicide rates could be found in the initial period after diagnosis . Our findings showed significantly increased suicide rates among kidney cancer patients with the general population in the initial 9 years after diagnosis.…”

“…A study from the Danish Cancer Register revealed that the SMRs of suicide for male and female cancer patients were respectively 1.7 and 1.4 in 1971‐1999 . The researchers from England and Italy also reported a similar result . Based on our study, the results showed the suicide rate of kidney cancer patients was 21.83 per 100 000 person‐years, and SMR was 1.83 (95% CI: 1.59‐2.10), indicating an apparent increased risk of suicide in comparison with the US general population.…”

“…25 The researchers from England and Italy also reported a similar result. 26,27 Based on our study, the results showed the suicide rate of kidney cancer patients was 21.83 per 100 000 person-years, and SMR was 1.83 (95% CI: 1.59-2.10), indicating an apparent increased risk of suicide in comparison with the US general population. Diagnosed in early years (1973)(1974)(1975)(1976)(1977)(1978)(1979)(1980)(1981)(1982)(1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992), male sex, unmarried status, nonblack race, higher histologic grade, and cancer-directed surgery not performed were significant predictors of suicide.…”

“…Second, the patients at risk should receive psychotherapeutic interventions as soon as possible. It has been widely proved that psychotherapeutic interventions to the depression population can reap benefits in terms of reducing the suicide rate and improving the quality of life, such as participation in cancer support groups, stress management, and integrate psychological support into cancer care . Additionally, the efforts for decreasing suicide need coordination and collaboration, including medical workers, family members even the whole society.…”

Developing a preventive psycho‐oncology for a global context. The International Psycho‐Oncology Society 2018 Sutherland Award Lecture

“…Twelve‐month prevalence for any mood disorder in the US general population was 9.5% and any anxiety disorder 18.1%: Equivalent figures for Germany were 11.9% and 14.5%, respectively . Suicide risk in the 6 months following diagnosis is slightly raised for certain poor prognosis cancers (lung, mesothelioma, pancreatic, esophageal) . Reportedly higher levels of cancer distress therefore seem unlikely to be due to more frequent common psychiatric diagnoses.…”