Suicidal Ideation in Long-Term Adult Cancer Survivors: Findings of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Cancer survivors suffer substantial psychologic distress, but little is known about their vulnerabilities to suicidal ideation more than 5 years after diagnosis. Methods: We compared suicidal ideation among 1,033 adult cancer survivors, who had received a diagnosis of cancer more than 5 years previously, with that among individuals without a cancer history using nationwide survey data. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate suicidal ideation in cancer survivors. Results: Cancer survivors did not have a significantly higher suicidal ideation rate than those without a cancer history, regardless of depressive mood. Conclusions: A cancer history of 5 years or greater is not associated with suicidal ideation.Impact: A large Korean study considering depressive mood affirm no association between long-term cancer survivorship and suicidal ideation.