Suicide among cancer patients

Nat Commun. 2019 Jan 14;10(1):207. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-08170-1.

Abstract

Our purpose is to identify cancer patients at highest risk of suicide compared to the general population and other cancer patients. This is a retrospective, population-based study using nationally representative data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, 1973-2014. Among 8,651,569 cancer patients, 13,311 committed suicide; the rate of suicide was 28.58/ 100,000-person years, and the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of suicide was 4.44 (95% CI, 4.33, 4.55). The predominant patients who committed suicide were male (83%) and white (92%). Cancers of the lung, head and neck, testes, bladder, and Hodgkin lymphoma had the highest SMRs ( > 5-10) through the follow up period. Elderly, white, unmarried males with localized disease are at highest risk vs other cancer patients. Among those diagnosed at < 50 years of age, the plurality of suicides is from hematologic and testicular tumors; if > 50, from prostate, lung, and colorectal cancer patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mortality / trends*
  • Neoplasms / mortality
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • SEER Program / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Factors
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Suicide / trends
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Survivorship*