Adolescents and Young Adults More Likely To Commit Suicide after Being Diagnosed With Cancer

An extensive study conducted among eight million Swedes above the age of 15 years, has revealed that adolescents and young adults with cancer are more likely to attempt suicide within the first year of diagnosis. The risk of suicide increased with the diagnosis of most cancers except that of thyroid, testis and melanoma maybe due to the better prognosis of these in that age group. Interestingly though more men than women were successful in committing suicide, the percentage of women attempting suicide was higher than men. Women diagnosed with cervical cancer were found to be a very vulnerable group. Although the reason for this is definitely not known it is presumed that the menopausal symptoms and lymphodoema might cause the emotional distress that leads to suicidal tendencies in these young women. This study emphasizes the need to pair counseling and mental care with clinical therapy of cancer in adolescents and young adults.