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Unseen Toll: Cancer Patients’ Spouses Face Higher Suicide Risk
TOPLINE:
Spouses of patients with cancer face a significantly higher risk for suicide attempts and deaths, especially within the first year after their spouse is diagnosed with cancer, according to an analysis based in Denmark.
METHODOLOGY:
- A growing body of evidence has revealed higher levels of psychological distress and an increased risk for psychiatric disorders among spouses of patients with cancer, but less is known about suicidal behaviors among spouses.
- In a recent analysis, researchers assessed the risk for suicide attempts and suicide deaths among the spouses of patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort based in Denmark.
- Researchers collected registry-based data from 1986 to 2016, comparing suicide attempts and deaths between individuals with a spouse diagnosed with cancer and those without. Suicide attempts were identified through The Danish National Patient Register and The Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register, and suicide deaths were identified through The Danish Register of Causes of Death.
- A total of 409,338 spouses of patients with cancer (exposed group) were compared with 2,046,682 matched control participants (unexposed group). The participants were followed from cohort entry until a first suicide attempt, suicide death, death from other causes, emigration, or December 31, 2016, whichever came first.
TAKEAWAY:
- Spouses of patients with cancer had an increased risk for suicide attempts (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28) and suicide deaths (HR, 1.47), especially within the first year after a cancer diagnosis (HR for attempts, 1.45; HR for deaths, 2.56).
- The increased risk for suicide attempts was more pronounced among men (HR, 1.42), those with a lower household income (HR, 1.39), and those with a history of cancer themselves (HR, 1.57).
- Among those who attempted suicide, researchers observed positive associations for most, but not all, cancer types and for cancers diagnosed at regional spread or an advanced stage (HR, 1.66) or an unknown stage (HR, 1.28), as well as following the death of the spouse to cancer (HR, 1.57).
- Researchers also observed an increased risk for suicide death for most, but not all, cancer types and greater increases for cancers diagnosed at more advanced stages (HR, 1.61) or unknown stages (HR, 1.52), as well as following the spouse’s death (HR, 1.70).
IN PRACTICE:
“To our knowledge, this nationwide cohort study is the first to show that spouses of patients with cancer have an elevated risk of both suicide attempt and suicide death,” the authors concluded. “These findings suggest a need for clinical and societal awareness to prevent suicidal behaviors among spouses of patients with cancer, particularly during the first year following the cancer diagnosis.”
In an accompanying editorial, experts noted that “the mental health impacts may well be higher in countries that have more restricted healthcare access,” given that Denmark has universal healthcare. The editorialists also noted the “pressing need to integrate spousal health more fully into cancer survivorship care.
“Psychosocial distress should no longer be a hidden and unaddressed cause of suffering in spouses of patients with cancer,” they wrote.
SOURCE:
The study, led by Qianwei Liu, MD, PhD, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and the accompanying editorial were published online in JAMA Oncology.
LIMITATIONS:
Residual confounding was one potential limitation, though the researchers tried to control for several important confounders. The result may not be generalizable to other countries with different healthcare systems, cultural contexts, or burdens of cancer and suicidal behaviors.
DISCLOSURES:
One coauthor reported receiving grants from Forte during the conduct of the study. Another coauthor
disclosed receiving grants from the Swedish Cancer Society. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
TOPLINE:
Spouses of patients with cancer face a significantly higher risk for suicide attempts and deaths, especially within the first year after their spouse is diagnosed with cancer, according to an analysis based in Denmark.
METHODOLOGY:
- A growing body of evidence has revealed higher levels of psychological distress and an increased risk for psychiatric disorders among spouses of patients with cancer, but less is known about suicidal behaviors among spouses.
- In a recent analysis, researchers assessed the risk for suicide attempts and suicide deaths among the spouses of patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort based in Denmark.
- Researchers collected registry-based data from 1986 to 2016, comparing suicide attempts and deaths between individuals with a spouse diagnosed with cancer and those without. Suicide attempts were identified through The Danish National Patient Register and The Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register, and suicide deaths were identified through The Danish Register of Causes of Death.
- A total of 409,338 spouses of patients with cancer (exposed group) were compared with 2,046,682 matched control participants (unexposed group). The participants were followed from cohort entry until a first suicide attempt, suicide death, death from other causes, emigration, or December 31, 2016, whichever came first.
TAKEAWAY:
- Spouses of patients with cancer had an increased risk for suicide attempts (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28) and suicide deaths (HR, 1.47), especially within the first year after a cancer diagnosis (HR for attempts, 1.45; HR for deaths, 2.56).
- The increased risk for suicide attempts was more pronounced among men (HR, 1.42), those with a lower household income (HR, 1.39), and those with a history of cancer themselves (HR, 1.57).
- Among those who attempted suicide, researchers observed positive associations for most, but not all, cancer types and for cancers diagnosed at regional spread or an advanced stage (HR, 1.66) or an unknown stage (HR, 1.28), as well as following the death of the spouse to cancer (HR, 1.57).
- Researchers also observed an increased risk for suicide death for most, but not all, cancer types and greater increases for cancers diagnosed at more advanced stages (HR, 1.61) or unknown stages (HR, 1.52), as well as following the spouse’s death (HR, 1.70).
IN PRACTICE:
“To our knowledge, this nationwide cohort study is the first to show that spouses of patients with cancer have an elevated risk of both suicide attempt and suicide death,” the authors concluded. “These findings suggest a need for clinical and societal awareness to prevent suicidal behaviors among spouses of patients with cancer, particularly during the first year following the cancer diagnosis.”
In an accompanying editorial, experts noted that “the mental health impacts may well be higher in countries that have more restricted healthcare access,” given that Denmark has universal healthcare. The editorialists also noted the “pressing need to integrate spousal health more fully into cancer survivorship care.
“Psychosocial distress should no longer be a hidden and unaddressed cause of suffering in spouses of patients with cancer,” they wrote.
SOURCE:
The study, led by Qianwei Liu, MD, PhD, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and the accompanying editorial were published online in JAMA Oncology.
LIMITATIONS:
Residual confounding was one potential limitation, though the researchers tried to control for several important confounders. The result may not be generalizable to other countries with different healthcare systems, cultural contexts, or burdens of cancer and suicidal behaviors.
DISCLOSURES:
One coauthor reported receiving grants from Forte during the conduct of the study. Another coauthor
disclosed receiving grants from the Swedish Cancer Society. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
TOPLINE:
Spouses of patients with cancer face a significantly higher risk for suicide attempts and deaths, especially within the first year after their spouse is diagnosed with cancer, according to an analysis based in Denmark.
METHODOLOGY:
- A growing body of evidence has revealed higher levels of psychological distress and an increased risk for psychiatric disorders among spouses of patients with cancer, but less is known about suicidal behaviors among spouses.
- In a recent analysis, researchers assessed the risk for suicide attempts and suicide deaths among the spouses of patients with cancer in a nationwide cohort based in Denmark.
- Researchers collected registry-based data from 1986 to 2016, comparing suicide attempts and deaths between individuals with a spouse diagnosed with cancer and those without. Suicide attempts were identified through The Danish National Patient Register and The Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register, and suicide deaths were identified through The Danish Register of Causes of Death.
- A total of 409,338 spouses of patients with cancer (exposed group) were compared with 2,046,682 matched control participants (unexposed group). The participants were followed from cohort entry until a first suicide attempt, suicide death, death from other causes, emigration, or December 31, 2016, whichever came first.
TAKEAWAY:
- Spouses of patients with cancer had an increased risk for suicide attempts (hazard ratio [HR], 1.28) and suicide deaths (HR, 1.47), especially within the first year after a cancer diagnosis (HR for attempts, 1.45; HR for deaths, 2.56).
- The increased risk for suicide attempts was more pronounced among men (HR, 1.42), those with a lower household income (HR, 1.39), and those with a history of cancer themselves (HR, 1.57).
- Among those who attempted suicide, researchers observed positive associations for most, but not all, cancer types and for cancers diagnosed at regional spread or an advanced stage (HR, 1.66) or an unknown stage (HR, 1.28), as well as following the death of the spouse to cancer (HR, 1.57).
- Researchers also observed an increased risk for suicide death for most, but not all, cancer types and greater increases for cancers diagnosed at more advanced stages (HR, 1.61) or unknown stages (HR, 1.52), as well as following the spouse’s death (HR, 1.70).
IN PRACTICE:
“To our knowledge, this nationwide cohort study is the first to show that spouses of patients with cancer have an elevated risk of both suicide attempt and suicide death,” the authors concluded. “These findings suggest a need for clinical and societal awareness to prevent suicidal behaviors among spouses of patients with cancer, particularly during the first year following the cancer diagnosis.”
In an accompanying editorial, experts noted that “the mental health impacts may well be higher in countries that have more restricted healthcare access,” given that Denmark has universal healthcare. The editorialists also noted the “pressing need to integrate spousal health more fully into cancer survivorship care.
“Psychosocial distress should no longer be a hidden and unaddressed cause of suffering in spouses of patients with cancer,” they wrote.
SOURCE:
The study, led by Qianwei Liu, MD, PhD, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and the accompanying editorial were published online in JAMA Oncology.
LIMITATIONS:
Residual confounding was one potential limitation, though the researchers tried to control for several important confounders. The result may not be generalizable to other countries with different healthcare systems, cultural contexts, or burdens of cancer and suicidal behaviors.
DISCLOSURES:
One coauthor reported receiving grants from Forte during the conduct of the study. Another coauthor
disclosed receiving grants from the Swedish Cancer Society. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
Genetics and Lifestyle Choices Can Affect Early Prostate Cancer Deaths
TOPLINE:
METHODOLOGY:
- About one third of men die from prostate cancer before age 75, highlighting the need for prevention strategies that target high-risk populations.
- In the current study, researchers analyzed data from two prospective cohort studies — the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) — which included 19,607 men with a median age at inclusion of 59 years (MDCS) and 65.1 years (HPFS) followed from 1991 to 2019.
- Participants were categorized by genetic risk and lifestyle score. Genetic risk was defined using a multiancestry polygenic risk score (PRS) for overall prostate cancer that included 400 genetic risk variants.
- A healthy lifestyle score was defined as 3-6, while an unhealthy lifestyle score was 0-2. Lifestyle factors included smoking, weight, physical activity, and diet.
- The researchers calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between genetic and lifestyle factors and prostate cancer death.
TAKEAWAY:
- Combining the PRS and family history of cancer, 67% of men overall (13,186 of 19,607) were considered to have higher genetic risk, and about 30% overall had an unhealthy lifestyle score of 0-2.
- Men at higher genetic risk accounted for 88% (94 of 107) of early prostate cancer deaths.
- Compared with men at lower genetic risk, those at higher genetic risk had more than a threefold higher rate of early prostate cancer death (HR, 3.26) and more than a twofold increased rate of late prostate cancer death (HR, 2.26) as well as a higher lifetime risk for prostate cancer death.
- Among men at higher genetic risk, an unhealthy lifestyle was associated with a higher risk of early prostate cancer death, with smoking and a BMI of ≥ 30 being significant factors. Depending on the definition of a healthy lifestyle, the researchers estimated that 22%-36% of early prostate cancer deaths among men at higher genetic risk might be preventable.
IN PRACTICE:
“Based on data from two prospective cohort studies, this analysis provides evidence for targeting men at increased genetic risk with prevention strategies aimed at reducing premature deaths from prostate cancer,” the researchers concluded.
SOURCE:
The study, with first author Anna Plym, PhD, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, was published online on July 3 in JAMA Network Open.
LIMITATIONS:
Differences in prostate cancer testing and treatment may account for some of the observed association between a healthy lifestyle and prostate cancer death. This analysis provides an estimate of what is achievable in terms of prevention had everyone adopted a healthy lifestyle. The authors only considered factors at study entry, which would not include changes that happen later.
DISCLOSURES:
The study authors reported several disclosures. Fredrik Wiklund, PhD, received grants from GE Healthcare, personal fees from Janssen, Varian Medical Systems, and WebMD, and stock options and personal fees from Cortechs Labs outside the submitted work. Adam S. Kibel, MD, received personal fees from Janssen, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cellvax, Merck, and Roche and served as a consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb and Candel outside the submitted work. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
TOPLINE:
METHODOLOGY:
- About one third of men die from prostate cancer before age 75, highlighting the need for prevention strategies that target high-risk populations.
- In the current study, researchers analyzed data from two prospective cohort studies — the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) — which included 19,607 men with a median age at inclusion of 59 years (MDCS) and 65.1 years (HPFS) followed from 1991 to 2019.
- Participants were categorized by genetic risk and lifestyle score. Genetic risk was defined using a multiancestry polygenic risk score (PRS) for overall prostate cancer that included 400 genetic risk variants.
- A healthy lifestyle score was defined as 3-6, while an unhealthy lifestyle score was 0-2. Lifestyle factors included smoking, weight, physical activity, and diet.
- The researchers calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between genetic and lifestyle factors and prostate cancer death.
TAKEAWAY:
- Combining the PRS and family history of cancer, 67% of men overall (13,186 of 19,607) were considered to have higher genetic risk, and about 30% overall had an unhealthy lifestyle score of 0-2.
- Men at higher genetic risk accounted for 88% (94 of 107) of early prostate cancer deaths.
- Compared with men at lower genetic risk, those at higher genetic risk had more than a threefold higher rate of early prostate cancer death (HR, 3.26) and more than a twofold increased rate of late prostate cancer death (HR, 2.26) as well as a higher lifetime risk for prostate cancer death.
- Among men at higher genetic risk, an unhealthy lifestyle was associated with a higher risk of early prostate cancer death, with smoking and a BMI of ≥ 30 being significant factors. Depending on the definition of a healthy lifestyle, the researchers estimated that 22%-36% of early prostate cancer deaths among men at higher genetic risk might be preventable.
IN PRACTICE:
“Based on data from two prospective cohort studies, this analysis provides evidence for targeting men at increased genetic risk with prevention strategies aimed at reducing premature deaths from prostate cancer,” the researchers concluded.
SOURCE:
The study, with first author Anna Plym, PhD, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, was published online on July 3 in JAMA Network Open.
LIMITATIONS:
Differences in prostate cancer testing and treatment may account for some of the observed association between a healthy lifestyle and prostate cancer death. This analysis provides an estimate of what is achievable in terms of prevention had everyone adopted a healthy lifestyle. The authors only considered factors at study entry, which would not include changes that happen later.
DISCLOSURES:
The study authors reported several disclosures. Fredrik Wiklund, PhD, received grants from GE Healthcare, personal fees from Janssen, Varian Medical Systems, and WebMD, and stock options and personal fees from Cortechs Labs outside the submitted work. Adam S. Kibel, MD, received personal fees from Janssen, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cellvax, Merck, and Roche and served as a consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb and Candel outside the submitted work. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.
TOPLINE:
METHODOLOGY:
- About one third of men die from prostate cancer before age 75, highlighting the need for prevention strategies that target high-risk populations.
- In the current study, researchers analyzed data from two prospective cohort studies — the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS) and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS) — which included 19,607 men with a median age at inclusion of 59 years (MDCS) and 65.1 years (HPFS) followed from 1991 to 2019.
- Participants were categorized by genetic risk and lifestyle score. Genetic risk was defined using a multiancestry polygenic risk score (PRS) for overall prostate cancer that included 400 genetic risk variants.
- A healthy lifestyle score was defined as 3-6, while an unhealthy lifestyle score was 0-2. Lifestyle factors included smoking, weight, physical activity, and diet.
- The researchers calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between genetic and lifestyle factors and prostate cancer death.
TAKEAWAY:
- Combining the PRS and family history of cancer, 67% of men overall (13,186 of 19,607) were considered to have higher genetic risk, and about 30% overall had an unhealthy lifestyle score of 0-2.
- Men at higher genetic risk accounted for 88% (94 of 107) of early prostate cancer deaths.
- Compared with men at lower genetic risk, those at higher genetic risk had more than a threefold higher rate of early prostate cancer death (HR, 3.26) and more than a twofold increased rate of late prostate cancer death (HR, 2.26) as well as a higher lifetime risk for prostate cancer death.
- Among men at higher genetic risk, an unhealthy lifestyle was associated with a higher risk of early prostate cancer death, with smoking and a BMI of ≥ 30 being significant factors. Depending on the definition of a healthy lifestyle, the researchers estimated that 22%-36% of early prostate cancer deaths among men at higher genetic risk might be preventable.
IN PRACTICE:
“Based on data from two prospective cohort studies, this analysis provides evidence for targeting men at increased genetic risk with prevention strategies aimed at reducing premature deaths from prostate cancer,” the researchers concluded.
SOURCE:
The study, with first author Anna Plym, PhD, Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, was published online on July 3 in JAMA Network Open.
LIMITATIONS:
Differences in prostate cancer testing and treatment may account for some of the observed association between a healthy lifestyle and prostate cancer death. This analysis provides an estimate of what is achievable in terms of prevention had everyone adopted a healthy lifestyle. The authors only considered factors at study entry, which would not include changes that happen later.
DISCLOSURES:
The study authors reported several disclosures. Fredrik Wiklund, PhD, received grants from GE Healthcare, personal fees from Janssen, Varian Medical Systems, and WebMD, and stock options and personal fees from Cortechs Labs outside the submitted work. Adam S. Kibel, MD, received personal fees from Janssen, Pfizer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cellvax, Merck, and Roche and served as a consultant for Bristol Myers Squibb and Candel outside the submitted work. Additional disclosures are noted in the original article.
This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication. A version of this article appeared on Medscape.com.