Lead author of the study, Dr. Christopher J. Recklitis from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston stated, “This study is one more reminder that there are long term consequences of the treatment of childhood cancer
.”
“Fortunately, most childhood cancer survivors do well in terms of their adjustment but there is a small proportion that are more likely to have some psychological adjustment problems,” he added.
Researchers claim that suicidal ideation, the tragic reaction to distressing life situations is more prevalent in those undergoing poor physical and mental health.
These cancer survivors may be very disturbed mentally that they lose their perspective on reality and suicide seems to be a simple solution to end their despair.
Data of Childhood Cancer Survivor Study analyzed
For the purpose of the study the researchers examined the data of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) organized by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
They compared 9,126 adult pediatric cancer survivors, aged 18 or more with 2,968 of their siblings who had been cancer free in their childhood.
Many different kinds of cancers were reported in the study, but leukemia was the most common along with Hodgkin's disease—cancer which originates in the white blood cells, cancer of the central nervous system and brain cancer.
Observations made by the researchers
The researchers found that 7.8 percent of the childhood cancer survivors reported having suicidal thoughts as opposed to only 4.6 percent of the siblings forming the control group.
Those who had battled brain and central nervous system cancers were more inclined towards suicidal thoughts (10.6 per cent), while the survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were the least likely to contemplate ending their lives (6.7 per cent).
The scientists also noted a strong association between suicide ideation and poor physical health. Those who experienced cancer related pain, physical disability or other related chronic medical conditions were at an increased risk of suicidal thoughts.
Nearly 29 percent of cancer survivors who were experiencing poor health conditions had suicidal thoughts compared to 3 percent of survivors who rated their health good.
Christopher Recklitis said, “Although the vast majority of survivors reported no suicidal ideation, the significant minority of survivors with thoughts of suicide is a serious concern.”
He added, “Our findings underscore the importance of recognizing the connection between childhood cancer survivors’ physical health issues and their risk for suicidal thoughts, as some of the conditions may be treatable.”
The study appears in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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