Why this study matters

As cancer treatments and prognosis improve, there is a corresponding increase in patients with cancer who will die of causes other than cancer.

Although the risk of suicide is greatest during the first week after receiving a cancer diagnosis, the increased risk persists for at least 5 years. Screening for suicidal ideations decreases suicide-related mortality and increases access to psychosocial support and care.

Study design

A suicidal ideation risk factor-based questionnaire was distributed to 820 patients with cancer from which a multivariate logistic regression model was constructed.

Results and conclusion

Two hundred thirteen of the 820 study participants (26%) had suicidal ideations.

The predictive nomogram developed from the questionnaire survey identified the following risk factors for suicidal ideations: demoralization; depression; advanced cancer stage; financial burden; single marital status; rural residence; and living alone.