Cancer survivors may have substantial unmet psychosocial needs and fights with functionality.
The overall risk of suicide among this population is 50% higher (55%, according to a recent European study) than in the general population.
This risk can be significantly elevated, depending on cancer sites; it is especially high among head and neck cancer (HNC) and pancreatic cancer survivors.

Throughout the lifetime of a survivor, the risk of suicide consistently remains higher. Cancer survivors are candidates for suicide-related psychosocial surveillance.
Depression does not equate to suicide, and data show that even patients who screen acceptable for depression still commit suicide; there are other factors, such as pain and fear that may increase the risk of suicide.
The number of people who end their lives through suicide suggests that there is large group of people who are miserable, thinking about suicide, and suffering in a way that needs attention.

It is important to attack suicide as a problem: it is one of the more unfortunate costs of cancer survivorship.

See reference for more information.

Adapted from Medscape News & Perspective. Suicide among cancer survivors, highest risk in HNC. Internet. Available at
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/892850?src=WNL_infoc_180318_MSCPEDIT&uac=6705FY&impID=1582754&faf=1#vp_1  Accessed on March 20, 2018. To view the entire article and all other content on the Medscape News and Perspective site, a free, one-time registr