Among individuals with cancer, there is a significantly higher suicide risk for those in the lowest-income counties and in rural settings when compared with those residing in other areas, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Researchers examined risks and patterns of suicide mortality among people with cancer by US county-level median income and rural or urban status. The analysis included more than 5.3 million individuals from 2000-2016 living in 635 counties. People living in the lowest-income counties had a significantly higher risk (standardized mortality ratio [SMR], 1.94) than those in the highest-income counties (SMR, 1.30). Similar results were seen for those living in rural versus urban counties (SMRs, 1.81 and 1.35, respectively). SMRs were highest in the first year following a cancer diagnosis for all county groups. However, the risk remained significantly high even 10 years or more after a cancer diagnosis among people in the lowest-income counties (SMR, 1.83). “Efforts to provide increased preventive mental health services for individuals with cancer, especially for those living in low-income and rural areas are needed,” the authors wrote.
