Longitudinal Risk for Suicidal Self-Directed Violence Among Veterans With Cancer

What are the longitudinal rates of fatal and nonfatal suicide attempts (suicidal self-directed violence [SSDV]) among veterans with cancer, and which characteristics are associated with the highest risk?In this cohort study of 292 271 veterans, the overall rate of SSDV was 203 events per 100 000 person-years. Veteran subgroups including those of younger age (≤45 years), female sex, American Indian or Alaska Native race, and those with thyroid cancer had high rates of nonfatal attempts compared with the overall cohort; risk persisted 5 years postdiagnosis for those who were younger, unmarried, or had central nervous system cancer.These findings indicate that many veteran subgroups at risk for SSDV are overlooked, limiting opportunities for intervention.

Corresponding Author: Donald R. Sullivan, MD, MA, MCR, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health sullivad@ohsu.edu).

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