Current status of knowledge about suicide in people with cancer

Aim: To review the current knowledge about suicide in cancer patients. Method: We searched specialized databases using keywords for articles published in the last two decades (1990-2010), and compiled and reviewed them in order to: indicate the prevalence of suicide in cancer patients worldwide and in Colombia, differentiating the data by sex and age; establish the types of cancer that are associated with suicide, identify risk factors for committing or considering suicide and present the strategies of professional and psychological intervention directed at cancer patients with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. The present article is a review of the information on the subject. Results: We found that: in cancer patients, the suicide rate is two times higher than in the general population; depression, suicidal ideation and location of cancer are some of the risk factors for suicide, and there is a lack of published guidelines for professional management of the suicidal patient with cancer. Conclusion: The need to carry out research on the topic of suicide in cancer patients was established.