Suicide prevention in cancer care

The risk of suicide in cancer patients is higher than that in the general population. As compared to other countries, the suicidal rate of cancer patients in Taiwan is much higher. Patients with certain cancer types, who have lower quality of life and more emotional distress, seem to carry higher suicide risk. There is an increased risk of suicide associated with cancer severity. Lung and buccal cancer patients carried the highest suicidal risk in Taiwan. Whereas breast and hematological cancers carried the third and the fourth highest suicidal risk, respectively, which carried lower suicidal risk in other countries. This finding is different from other countries. Socioeconomic hardships and suicidal ideation in cancer patients underestimated by both their nurses and physicians may relate to the risk of suicide. The screening rate of emotional distress in cancer patients must be elevated. Depression and demoralization in cancer patients are related to suicidal behavior. Depression among patients diagnosed with cancer should be treated, and demoralization also needs to be addressed. We suggest using Distress Thermometers, Patient Health Questionnaires, and Demoralization Scale- Mandarin Version to screen. We are hopeful that future research and government policies will develop the clinical pathway to suicide prevention in cancer care.