In:
Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Vol. 30, No. 15_suppl ( 2012-05-20), p. 9015-9015
Abstract:
9015 Background: Suicide rates in YA cancer patients are higher than in the general population. Although cancer is associated with a four-fold increase in the likelihood of a suicide attempt, little is known about suicidality in YAs with cancer. This study examined rates and clinical risk factors associated with suicidality in a sample of YAs with advanced cancer. Methods: Structured interviews were conducted between 4/2010 and 9/2011 with 70 YA advanced cancer patients (range 20-40 yrs, M=33.97, SD=5.61) receiving care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Validated measures assessed suicidality (i.e., Yale Evaluation of Suicidality), quality of life, major depressive disorder, grief over cancer-related losses, and social support. Scores on the suicidality measure were dichotomized into positive screen = 1 and negative screen = 0. Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analyses evaluated the relationship between suicidality and participant characteristics and psychosocial variables, controlling for confounding variables. Results: Over one-fifth (21.4%) of the sample screened positive for suicidality. Female gender χ 2 (1, N = 70) = 4.95, p = .026), breast compared with other cancer diagnosis χ 2 (1, N = 70) = 5.66, p = .017), and better performance status (t(68) = 3.13, p 〈 .01) were associated with lower rates of suicidality. Participants who met criteria for current (OR [95% CI] 8.67 [1.78, 42.22] ) or lifetime major depressive disorder (5.38 [1.60, 18.12]) endorsed higher rates of suicidality. Better overall (.97 [.94, .99] ), psychological (.93 [.87, .94]), and existential quality of life (.91 [.85, .98] ) were associated with reduced suicidality risk. More severe grief was associated with greater risk (1.15 [1.04, 1.28]) whereas greater social support was associated with lower suicidality risk (.85 [.74, .97] ). Conclusions: YAs with advanced cancer reported higher rates of suicidality than observed in other age groups. Developmentally targeted interventions that promote physical function, effectively treat depression, improve quality of life and reduce grief, and provide opportunities for social support may reduce rates of and risk for suicidality in this population.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0732-183X
,
1527-7755
DOI:
10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.9015
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Publication Date:
2012
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2005181-5
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