Study: Teen Cancer Patients At Increased Risk Of Suicide

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is disturbing news from a Swedish study looking at teenagers diagnosed with cancer. According to the report, the teens are at an increased risk of suicide compared to their peers.

The study focused on almost 8 million young men and women in Sweden from 1987 to 2009. During that time they looked at more than 12,000 teens and young adults with cancer.

According to the researchers, those newly diagnosed with cancer were 1.6 times more likely to attempt suicide than those without cancer. This risk was greatest in the first year after being diagnosed.

This is a very important study because it focuses on the importance of recognizing the risk of suicide and the need for counseling.