Suicide in cancer patients in South East England from 1996 to 2005: a population-based study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Suicide in cancer patients in South East England from 1996 to 2005: a population-based study

AU - Robinson, D.

AU - Renshaw, C.

AU - Okello, C.

AU - Moller, H.

AU - Davies, E. A.

PY - 2009/7/7

Y1 - 2009/7/7

N2 - BACKGROUND: Studies from around the world have shown that suicide risk is increased in cancer patients, but no previous detailed analysis has been carried out in England. METHODS: We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for suicide in 206 129 men and 211 443 women diagnosed with cancer in South East England between 1996 and 2005, relative to suicide rates in the general population. RESULTS: We found a significantly increased risk of suicide in men (SMR 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.73) and a moderately increased risk in women (SMR 1.19, 95% CI 0.88-1.57). In both sexes, relative risk of suicide was greatest in the first year after cancer diagnosis (SMR for men 2.42, 95% CI 1.84-3.13; SMR for women 1.44, 95% CI 0.82-2.33), and was also greater in individuals diagnosed with types of cancer with high fatality (SMR for men 2.67, 95% CI 1.71-3.97; SMR for women 2.17, 95% CI 0.80-4.73). CONCLUSION: There is a critical period immediately after the diagnosis of cancer during which the excess risk of suicide is particularly high. Carers need to be aware of the importance of attending to both the physical and emotional needs of cancer patients and cancer survivors. British Journal of Cancer (2009) 101, 198-201. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605110 www.bjcancer.com Published online 26 May 2009 (C) 2009 Cancer Research UK

AB - BACKGROUND: Studies from around the world have shown that suicide risk is increased in cancer patients, but no previous detailed analysis has been carried out in England. METHODS: We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for suicide in 206 129 men and 211 443 women diagnosed with cancer in South East England between 1996 and 2005, relative to suicide rates in the general population. RESULTS: We found a significantly increased risk of suicide in men (SMR 1.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.73) and a moderately increased risk in women (SMR 1.19, 95% CI 0.88-1.57). In both sexes, relative risk of suicide was greatest in the first year after cancer diagnosis (SMR for men 2.42, 95% CI 1.84-3.13; SMR for women 1.44, 95% CI 0.82-2.33), and was also greater in individuals diagnosed with types of cancer with high fatality (SMR for men 2.67, 95% CI 1.71-3.97; SMR for women 2.17, 95% CI 0.80-4.73). CONCLUSION: There is a critical period immediately after the diagnosis of cancer during which the excess risk of suicide is particularly high. Carers need to be aware of the importance of attending to both the physical and emotional needs of cancer patients and cancer survivors. British Journal of Cancer (2009) 101, 198-201. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605110 www.bjcancer.com Published online 26 May 2009 (C) 2009 Cancer Research UK

U2 - 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605110

DO - 10.1038/sj.bjc.6605110

M3 - Article

SN - 1532-1827

VL - 101

SP - 198

EP - 201

JO - BJC: British Journal of Cancer

JF - BJC: British Journal of Cancer

IS - 1

ER -