Cancer increases Risk of Suicide

A study published in the Annals of Oncology shows that those with cancer are more likely to commit suicide compared to the normal population. To perform their study, researchers evaluated over 1.3 million cases of cancer to analyze which factors contributed to this trend. It was found that males were six times more likely to commit suicide when compared to females. Males seemed to be at particularly high risk if the cancer involved the head and neck region and surgical options were not available, or if they had an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer known as myeloma. The suicide rate was lower for men with lung and liver cancer, and those with leukemia and brain tumours. Married status and African-American ancestory seemed to be protective against suicide in both males and females. In addition, females with colorectal and cervical cancer had a lower risk of suicide. From the study, those at highest risk for suicide were males with advanced head and neck cancer and those with myeloma who had little social support. Health care professionals should be aware of this trend and implement preventive strategies where possible.