Elevated risk of suicide in the time shortly after a diagnosis with cancer
A study from DRISP found that 22 different types of cancer associated with elevated rates of suicide. However, it is going in the right direction according to researchers.
People who receive a cancer diagnosis have a slightly increased risk of suicide when compared with the general population. Fortunately, this risk has decreased in recent years. This is shown in a new Danish study, which examined data on individuals diagnosed with one of 22 different verified types of cancers. Their findings published in the British Journal of Psychiatry confirm that the risk is highest during the first six months after the diagnosis, a period when the patient has frequent contact with the healthcare system. This provides an important window for preventing suicidal thoughts.
The study from the Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention and the Danish Cancer Society shows that people with a newly diagnosed cancer have an approximately 4-fold higher risk of suicide in the first six months after diagnosis compared with the general population, a risk that is already relatively low. Looking at a longer period – up to five years after diagnosis – the risk remains slightly elevated.
“It is particularly interesting that the risk is highest shortly after the disease has been diagnosed. At that time, patients have close contact with the healthcare system, so there is a window where we can reach out and help prevent suicidal thoughts,” says Cecilie Husballe, lead author of the article, a medical doctor affiliated with the Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention (DRISP). “It is also important to know that even diseases with good prognoses, such as breast cancer, are associated with an increased risk. This shows how life-changing a cancer diagnosis can be.”
Better diagnostics and treatment options mean that more people are living with cancer today. At the same time, the suicide rate among newly diagnosed cancer patients has decreased; rates during 2010-2021 were lower than for 2000–2009. Today, it is twice as high as in the general population, which is still low, corresponding to 35 people per 100,000.
“It’s moving in the right direction, but a more targeted effort should be considered to identify and support patients experiencing suicidal thoughts—especially since the risk is highest while they are receiving treatment in cancer departments,” says Professor Susanne Dalton at Danish Cancer Society and the Unit for Cancer Research at Region Zealand University Hospital in Denmark who was also part of the project group.
Senior researcher and program leader at DRISP, Annette Erlangsen PhD, explains the background: “It was important to carry out this project because our knowledge regarding specific types of cancers is outdated. With such significant developments in cancer care, it was essential to assess whether suicide rates have changed. Fortunately, they have, and we hope our findings can help reduce the rate even further. Every prevented suicide counts.”
The researchers examined suicide rates for 22 different cancers, verified in the national Cancer Registry. This is the first time – also internationally – that suicide risk across so many cancer types has been analysed in detailed analyses adjusted for existing factors, such as mental illness or prior suicide attempts, have been performed. They also accounted for the generally higher mortality in the studied patient group.
The researchers found an increased suicide rate for all cancer types. The highest rates were observed among people with pancreatic, oesophageal, and central nervous system cancers. Measured against disease stage, individuals with advanced cancer had a higher risk than those with early-stage cancer. People with multiple cancers had a higher suicide rate than those with only one.