Recent medical studies have highlighted that individuals diagnosed with cancer or experiencing its aftermath are at a higher risk of depression and suicide, emphasizing the need to pay attention to the mental health of these patients. According to the American newspaper "The New York Times," these studies relied on samples from millions of people diagnosed with cancer.
Neuroscience researcher at the University of Regensburg in Germany, Seliger Rihm, stated that preventing suicide is possible "if we talk about this issue at an early stage." One of the studies revealed that the likelihood of suicide among cancer patients increases by 85 percent compared to healthy individuals. The study, in which Rihm participated, was based on a review of substantial data from 28 previous studies involving 22 million cancer patients worldwide.
The study showed a decline in suicide rates among patients with less aggressive, more treatable cancers, such as testicular cancer and non-metastatic melanomas. In contrast, those suffering from severe cancers of the stomach and pancreas were among the most prone to suicide due to complications from the disease.
The study reported that suicide rates among cancer patients are significantly higher in the United States compared to Europe, Asia, or Australia. Researchers suggested that the exorbitant cost of treatment might be a contributing factor to patient suicides in the U.S., as individuals may choose not to pursue treatment to avoid burdening their families with debt.
In a second study, a researcher specializing in informatics at the University of London, along with colleagues, created a large database based on 460,000 individuals diagnosed with various types of cancer in the UK between 1998 and 2020. The study indicated that 5 percent of those diagnosed with cancer experienced depression, an equal percentage suffered from anxiety, while 1 percent of those who discovered their illness harmed themselves. It noted that individuals diagnosed with aggressive brain and prostate cancers were more likely to harm themselves.
