Situación actual del conocimiento acerca del suicidio en las personas con cáncer

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 cancerthat 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 onconsithe subject. Results: We found that: in cancer patients, the suicide rate is two timeshigher than in the general population; depression, suicidal ideation and location of cancer are some of the risk factors for suicide, andthere is a lack of published guidelines for professional managementof the suicidal patient with cancer. Conclusion: The need to carryout research on the topic of suicide in cancer patients was established.