6 months following diagnosis, the risk of suicide is 7 times that of the general population… Overall risk is 26% higher
Cancer patients have the highest risk of suicide 6 months following diagnosis, and the suicide rate of cancer patients is regarding 26% higher than that of the general public, a study has found.
This is the result of the American Cancer Society (ACS) analyzing the data of regarding 17 million cancer patients. The research team said, “Timely symptom management and targeted intervention are very important to prevent suicide in cancer patients.”
The research team analyzed personal data of 16.8 million people diagnosed with cancer in 43 states between 2000 and 2016. During this period, regarding 20,800 cancer patients took their own lives. Suicide risk was particularly higher among Hispanics, those without health insurance, those with Medicaid coverage, those under the age of 64, and those with Medicare. Medicaid is health insurance for low-income people under the age of 65 and people with disabilities. Medicare is health insurance for people over 65 who have paid social security taxes for at least 20 years and people with disabilities. The federal government subsidizes 50% of medical expenses.
In particular, the risk of suicide by 6 months following being diagnosed with cancer was more than 7 times higher than that of the general population. Patients with oral cancer, pharynx, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, brain cancer, pancreatic cancer, or lung cancer with poor cancer course (prognosis) and severe symptoms in the first 2 years following diagnosis had a higher risk of suicide. Two years following cancer diagnosis, the risk of suicide was higher in patients with cancers that might cause long-term impairment of quality of life, such as cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, breast, cervix, bladder, and blood (leukemia).
Compared to the general population, cancer patients’ suicide risk was 67% higher in 2000, but only 16% higher in 2016. Lead author of the study, Emory University doctoral student Xin Hu, said: “The overall trend toward a reduction in suicide risk is largely driven by advances in psychosocial therapy, palliative care, and symptom control and pain management.” The results of this study (Suicide Risk Among US Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer) were published in the 《JAMA Network Open》 and introduced by the US health media ‘Health Day’.