Suicide Risk 26% Higher In Individuals Diagnosed With Cancer

Individuals diagnosed with cancer between 2000 and 2016 had a 26% higher risk of suicide compared with the general population. The highest suicide risk period for those with cancer was within the first six months after the diagnosis; about 20.1% of suicide deaths were within this period. About 43.5% of suicide deaths among people with cancer happened during the first two years.

Although those diagnosed with cancer had consistently higher risks of suicide through the years studied, elevated risks declined from 67% in 2000 to 16% in 2016. This . . .