Suicide and CV Death Increase After Cancer Diagnosis

April 4th, 2012

Suicide and CV Death Increase After Cancer Diagnosis

Larry Husten, PHD

The risks for suicide and cardiovascular death rise sharply after cancer is diagnosed, according to a new study from Sweden published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Fang Fang and colleagues analyzed data from more than 6 million Swedes, including more than half a million who received a first diagnosis of cancer.

Following sharp initial increases in suicide and CV death, risks rapidly declined thereafter, but remained elevated during follow-up. The increased risks for suicide and CV death were greatest among people with highly fatal cancers. A second, case-crossover analysis confirmed the broad findings of the nationwide cohort study.

Here are the main results of the cohort study:

Relative risk (RR) compared with cancer-free people and incidence of suicide after cancer diagnosis:

First week: RR 12.6 (CI 8.6-17.8); incidence rate: 2.50 per 1000 person-years
First year: RR 3.1 (2.7-3.5); incidence rate: 0.60 per 1000 person-years

RR compared with cancer-free people and incidence of cardiovascular death after cancer diagnosis:

First week: RR 5.6 (CI 5.2-5.9); incidence rate: 116.80 per 1000 person-years
First 4 weeks: RR 3.3 (3.1-3.4); incidence rate: 65.81 per 1000 person-years

The authors conclude that their “findings suggest that a cancer diagnosis constitutes a major stressor, one that immediately affects the risk of critical, fatal outcomes. We speculate that our findings show only a portion of the range of effects induced by the emotional distress associated with a cancer diagnosis.”

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April 4th, 2012