Suicide mortality trends among cancer patients in Taiwan: suicide prevention efforts and cancer care improvements.

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients face a suicide risk 2 to 4 times higher than the general population. This study examines trends in suicide mortality among cancer patients in Taiwan and explores potential links with national suicide prevention efforts and advancements in cancer care.

Methods: Data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry and mortality files were analyzed for invasive cancer cases diagnosed from 1985 to 2018. Trends of age-standardized suicide rates were analyzed using joinpoint regression, and standardized mortality ratios compared rates between cancer patients and the general population, stratified by sex, age, cancer type, stage, and time since diagnosis.

Results: Suicide mortality declined in the general population after 2005[annual percent change, APC(95% confidence interval), -1.98(-2.61,-1.43) for men; -1.69(-2.31,-1.15) for women; both P < 0.0001], with a greater decline among cancer patients, particularly women[APC: -2.74(-5.09,1.70) for men, P = 0.0652; -5.46(-7.94,-1.27) for women, P = 0.0436]. Pancreatic, lung, and oral cancers had higher suicide rates but showed steady declines. Elevated risks persisted in subgroups such as male stomach cancer patients. Suicide rates generally decreased over time post-diagnosis but remained higher in advanced-stage cancers.

Conclusion: National suicide prevention efforts and improved cancer care appear linked to reduced suicide mortality among cancer patients. However, high-risk subgroups require targeted interventions.