Young people who are diagnosed with cancer are at an increased risk of suicide, new research indicates.

Scientists from Sweden, Iceland and the US looked at almost eight million teenagers and young adults and found that among the almost 13,000 who had been diagnosed with cancer, there was an increased risk of suicide or attempted suicide, particularly in the 12 months following diagnosis.

In fact, those aged between 15 and 30 who were diagnosed with cancer had a 60% increased risk of suicide or attempted suicide. In the first year after diagnosis, suicidal behaviour was 150% higher among this group compared to their peers without cancer.

"As far as we are aware, this is the first study to look at suicidal behaviour following a cancer diagnosis in adolescents and young adults. Given that young people are still developing their coping strategies for stress, they may be more affected than adults when facing major adversity such as a cancer diagnosis," commented Dr Donghao Lu of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm.

He pointed out that while the absolute risk of suicidal behaviour was ‘modest' among those diagnosed with cancer, these findings ‘emphasise the need to support and carefully monitor these vulnerable young people'.

As part of the study, the almost eight million young people were monitored for an average of 17 years. During this time, there were over 105,000 cases of suicidal behaviour, but this was more prevalent among those diagnosed with cancer.

"We found that there were 22 suicides among the cancer patients versus 14 expected and 136 attempts at suicide versus 80 expected. This equates to an extra 64 instances of suicidal behaviour among the 12,669 young cancer people," Dr Lu explained.

The study noted that among the cancer patients, more men than women died by suicide, however more women than men made an unsuccessful suicide attempt.

It also noted that this increased risk of suicidal behaviour was seen in relation to most cancers, except cancer of the thyroid, testis and skin. The scientists suggest this may be because there is a very good prognosis for these cancers in young people.

However, this did not hold true for cervical cancer. Despite there being a good prognosis with cervical cancer, there was still a three-fold increased risk of suicide among women aged 20-29 who were diagnosed with the disease. This rose to a six-fold increased risk in the 12 months following diagnosis.

"We don't know why this might be and it needs to be explored further. A potential reason might be related to the effects of treatment, such as menopausal symptoms and lymphodoema, which might contribute to emotional distress," Dr Lu suggested.

He added that while the proportion of patients who complete or attempt suicide after a cancer diagnosis is small, these findings have ‘important implications for the relatives and other people involved in the healthcare of young cancer patients'.

"The findings emphasise the need for mental care to be included in the clinical care of these patients, particularly those with pre-existing psychiatric conditions, or with poor prognosis. Ideally, this task should be a cooperation with different parties, including the medical professionals, psychological professionals, family members, as well as social workers," Dr Lu added.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Annals of Oncology.