Suicide among patients with cancer cared for at home by palliative-care teams

Lancet. 1999 Nov 27;354(9193):1877-8. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(99)02232-1.

Abstract

Patients with terminal cancer are thought to be at high risk of committing suicide. In a population of 17,964 patients with terminal cancer cared for at home by 12 palliative-care teams, five patients committed suicide. We speculate that continuing care made up by symptomatic treatment and psychosocial support given to these patients may reduce the risk.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Palliative Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Terminally Ill / psychology*