Suicide Ideation, Attempt and Mortality in Childhood Cancer Survivors a Scoping Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Objectives: Despite improved long-term prognosis, childhood cancer survivors often experience many long-term complications, which severely affect their quality of life. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize empirical evidence on suicidal ideation, attempt and mortality in childhood cancer survivors in order to contribute to the further development of survivorship follow-up care.

Methods: Six databases were systematically searched (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Embase). Included studies were published in peer-reviewed journals, used quantitative or mixed research methods. The review was conducted and reported by adhering to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.

Results: Although there were important differences in the reported prevalence of suicidality (i.e. ideation, attempt and mortality) in the retrieved literature, overall the risk of suicide mortality (0.1%-1.6%) among childhood cancer survivors seems low. The risk of suicide attempt ranged between 0.44% and 3.3%. The overall risk of suicidal ideation appears to be relatively common (4.3%-17%). Across studies, there were numerous inconsistencies regarding the impact of specific risk factors on suicidality. Included studies often did not report on the identification of protective factors or on the development of population specific preventative interventions.

Conclusion: Suicidal ideation is a profound form of emotional and psychological distress, and therefore an important quality of life issue for survivors and their families. Universal screening by suicide specific screens throughout the continuum of survivorship should be the recommended approach in the absence of clear risk factors that identify which childhood cancer survivors are the most vulnerable to suicidality.