Suicide prevention in individuals with cancer

Background Cancer can have far-reaching and lasting consequences for mental health. Cancer patients and survivors are significantly more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and engage in suicidal actions than the general population. Suicide prevention is therefore an important task in clinical (psycho-)oncological practice. Objective Empirically confirmed and theoretically derived risk and protective factors for suicidal crises in the context of cancer are examined. Materials and methods The summary of empirical findings is based on six recent international reviews. In addition, we discuss selected psychosocial factors of particular practical relevance. A case vignette illustrates a specific situation of vulnerability and its handling in clinical practice. Results The risk for suicidal ideation and death by suicide varies with cancer entity and prognosis and characteristics of the individual (age and gender). Suicide attempts resulting in death were more likely to occur in men than in women and took place primarily in the first year after diagnosis. Social support was protective. Interventions by trained professionals-such as empathy and structured measures of support such as safety planning-can have a stabilizing effect and thus save lives. Conclusions Cancer patients and survivors may experience emotional crises in which they need psycho-oncological care. Practitioners should therefore be prepared to actively explore suicidality in clinical practice. Knowledge about risk and protective factors helps to identify vulnerable patient groups and provide them with targeted support.