Suicide Risk Among Danish Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Yousaf U, Christensen M-LM, Engholm G, Storm H H
Primary Institution: Department of Cancer Prevention and Documentation, Danish Cancer Society
Hypothesis
What is the suicide risk among Danish cancer patients diagnosed between 1971 and 1999?
Conclusion
Danish cancer patients have a significantly higher suicide risk compared to the general population, particularly in the first year after diagnosis.
Supporting Evidence
- The suicide risk was increased by 50% for men and 30% for women compared to the general population.
- Suicide rates among cancer patients decreased over time, but not as much as in the general population.
- The highest suicide risk was observed in the first 3 months after diagnosis for men and between 3 to 12 months for women.
- Patients with nonlocalised cancer had a higher suicide risk.
- Breast cancer patients had a higher suicide risk than other patients with similar prognosis.
Takeaway
Cancer patients are more likely to think about or attempt suicide, especially right after they find out they have cancer.
Methodology
A cohort study using register-based data from the Danish Cancer Registry and the Danish Causes of Death Register.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of suicides as accidental deaths.
Limitations
The study could not control for other known risk factors of suicide such as unemployment and psychiatric disorders.
Participant Demographics
Included both men and women diagnosed with cancer in Denmark from 1971 to 1999.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.00001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.6–1.9 for men, 95% CI: 1.3–1.5 for women
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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