Citation

Chen NC, Liao CY, Liu YW. Taiwan Journal of Public Health 2017; 36(5): 439-447.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017)

DOI

10.6288/TJPH201736106043

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Psychological stress as the result of the impact of varieties of cancer and death threat leads to a relatively higher risk of suicide completion among cancer patients. Nevertheless, unified and comprehensive interpretations concerning relevant epidemiology, risk factors, time point of suicidal behavior, the relationship between different cancers and suicidal behavior, and suicide prevention remain scarce. With the analysis of previous studies about cancer patients' suicidal behavior, the current study probed into potential reasons and mechanism leading to suicidal behavior among cancer patients, hoping to upgrade relevant preventions to clinical fields and lower the cancer-related suicide rate. The results revealed that upon confirmation of cancers, higher risks of suicide existed in conditions as getting close to the initial diagnosis, metastasis, poor prognosis, or suffering from cancers that affcctcd quality of life and functions. High suicidal factors were also found among cancer patients with physical disabilities, comorbid depression and substance use, loss of independence and decision-making power, middle-aged people, male, unemployed, having low income, single, divorced, widower/widow. Moreover, unsafe medical environments, inappropriate medical assessment, insufficient training of caretakers, and inability to identify potential suicide problems were also major challenges. Therefore, effective assessment of cancer patients with high suicide risk and relevant prevention has been vital in the care process. The results of the current study help enhance the sensitivity to suicide prevention in the clinical process of taking care of cancer patients, with suicide risk screening employed to have a timely confirmation of the patients' psychological issues, to provide prompt prevention measures, to create safe medical environments, and to enhance effective communication between the medical team and cancer patients.

Language: zh

Keywords

Cancer; Epidemiology; Suicide among cancer patients; Suicide prevention