Suicide Risk Higher for Cancer Patients: Japan Govt Survey

From Jiji

September 17 2023

TOKYO – The risk of cancer patients committing suicide within two years of diagnosis is about 1.8 times higher than that for other people, a survey by a health ministry study group has found. 

Measures to prevent suicide of cancer patients should be taken soon after diagnosis, the study group said, adding that long-term measures are also important as the suicide risk remains high two years after diagnosis.

The survey covered about 1.07 million people who were diagnosed as cancer in 2016.

Of them, 660 patients committed suicide within two years after being diagnosed as cancer, with the suicide risk found to be 1.84 times as high as that for other people, according to the survey.

The suicide risk was 4.40 times higher within a month after diagnosis, 2.61 times in two to three months and 2.17 times in four to six months.