Head and neck cancer: beware survivors can commit suicide

The suicidal risk of survivors of head or neck cancer is twice as high as among other ex-sufferers, four times higher than in the general population. These results were published in the latest issue of Journal of Cancer.

“This suicide problem is bigger than many realize. In the US population as a whole, suicide is already the tenth leading cause of death. Knowing that it could be an even bigger problem among cancer survivors is staggering,” exclaims Dr. Osazuwa-Peters, study director.

Disabled at the end of treatment

About half of head and neck cancer survivors remain disabled at the end of treatment, and are unable to return to work. This situation causes financial difficulties. Furthermore, body image is often dramatically affected, and post-pathological pain is significant. In short, more than enough to develop depressive states.

“Long-term monitoring of these patients is essential. Just because you’ve overcome cancer doesn’t necessarily mean you’re fine,” adds Osazuwa-Peters.

The study focused on patients aged over 20, who presented with a first malignant tumor in the head or neck. This included squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity and sinuses. Patients with thyroid cancer were excluded because although the thyroid is found in the head and neck region, thyroid cancer is an endocrine cancer.

Study of more than 4 million

The suicide rate of patients with head and neck cancer has been compared to that of patients diagnosed with virtually all other forms of cancer, including cancer of the prostate, breast, lungs, colon, bladder or skin.

The study authors looked at the medical data of 4,219,097 survivors, 151,167 of whom had had head or neck cancer. Between 2000 and 2014, the suicide rate among the latter was 63.4 suicides per 100,000 inhabitants. Only pancreatic cancer survivors had a higher suicide rate than head and neck cancer survivors, at 86.4 suicides per 100,000 people.

Four psychological profiles of ex-patients

In France, 73% of former patients recently questioned by the Societal Cancer Observatory consider that their cancer was “one of the most significant events in their lives”. 13% believe that “cancer destroyed my life”, 26% that “cancer forced me to make a new start” and 19% that “cancer allowed me to make a new start”.

Thus, four psychological profiles of ex-patients emerge: people who have not yet managed to “turn the page”; people who misunderstand what happened to them; people who want to get their life back and people who want to move on.

Worldwide, the percentage of people still alive five years after cancer continues to rise. All the more reason to better accompany and support them!