Cancer and suicide among the elderly: psychosocial determinants of risks, psychopathology and opportunities for prevention

Suicide is a serious public health problem worldwide. Increasing age is directly associated with the rising rates of cancer and physical and functional limitations are important factors regarded as being associated with suicidal behavior among the elderly. This study sought to conduct a critical review of the literature on the risk factors associated with suicide among elderly cancer patients published between 2000 and 2015. Psychosocial precipitants of risks and psychopathology in 20 selected articles were conducted. The studies consistently identified a number of factors that have been considered to be associated with suicidal behavior among the elderly diagnosed with cancer. These include physical and mental health constraints (particularly major depression), social isolation, and the manner in which these factors and others interact. Further research is needed given the importance of the issue and to examine whether further education for healthcare providers and their abilities in suicide risk assessment and management could have positive effects on reducing the suicide rates among elderly patients with cancer. Considerations for upcoming studies encourage the adoption of empirically supported interventions for individualized management of the elderly cancer patient.