Childhood cancer survivors may develop suicidal symptoms

Childhood cancer survivors may develop suicidal symptoms

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/52780...dal_sy mptoms

By Indo Asian News Service

New York, Aug 20 (IANS) More than one in eight adult survivors of
childhood cancer may develop suicidal symptoms, says a new study.

Christopher Recklitis and colleagues at the Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute in Boston studied 226 patients, averaging 28 years of age,
seen at a clinic that cares for adult survivors of childhood cancer.

The patients were interviewed at an average of 18 years after their
initial cancer diagnosis. Around 29 of the patients reported some
suicidal symptoms, according to health portal Health Central.

Of those, 19 reported suicidal thoughts, while one had made a suicide
attempt but was no longer troubled by thoughts of suicide, and nine
had made suicide attempts and were currently thinking about suicide.

Only 11 of the 29 patients were considered to be significantly
depressed, based on their responses to standard rating scales.

'Most people are doing fine, but there is a serious concern about the
minority of survivors who have thoughts of ending their lives,' said
Recklitis.

Factors associated with increased risk for suicidal symptoms included
younger age at cancer diagnosis and a longer period of time since
diagnosis.

Another risk factor included radiation treatments to the head, which
can cause growth problems and physical disfigurement, memory and
cognitive function impairments, and an increased risk of second
cancers.

Patients who felt depressed or hopeless, were in pain, had physical
function problems, or were concerned about their appearance were also
more likely to report suicidal symptoms, found the study.