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May 31, 2024
Despite the overall rise in suicide rates among Americans, a recent study highlights a notable exception: individuals diagnosed with cancer. This trend reversal is largely attributed to enhanced access to counseling and psychosocial care, which helps mitigate the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis and prevents patients from resorting to tragic decisions.
Researchers, led by Dr. Qiang Liu from the National Cancer Center at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences in Beijing, emphasize that cancer patients still face significantly higher suicide risks. “The cancer-related suicide rate is estimated to be double that of the general population in the United States,” Liu’s team reported. The risk is particularly pronounced among men and remains elevated for up to 15 years following diagnosis.
The study, published on May 27 in the journal Translational Psychiatry, analyzed data from over 5 million Americans diagnosed with cancer between 1975 and 2017. Among the more than 8,000 who died by suicide, the majority (82%) were male, white (93%), and older (73% were between 50 to 79 years old).
Encouragingly, the suicide rate among cancer patients has been steadily declining over the decades. Initial gradual declines from 1989 to 2013 were followed by a more pronounced drop of about 27% each year between 2013 and 2017. This positive trend is attributed to various factors, including advances in medical treatments and the evolving role of psycho-oncology, palliative care, and hospice care.
“Many tumors are no longer the death sentences they were a generation or two ago,” noted Liu’s team. Additionally, the period saw the promotion and increased utilization of psychosocial services, enhancing the overall quality of life for cancer patients. Integrated care models, such as collaborative care, have also provided a more comprehensive and coordinated approach to cancer treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available for support.
More Information:
Qiang Liu et al, Trends in cancer-related suicide in the United States: a population-based epidemiology study spanning 40 years of data, Translational Psychiatry (2024).
