Male colorectal cancer patients face elevated suicide risk

A study analyzing 530,711 colorectal cancer patients revealed a significant suicide risk, particularly among males aged 35-49 and over 60. Of the 782 suicides recorded, 88% occurred in men, with a standardized mortality ratio of 1.60. Key factors elevating suicide risk included distant disease, radiation therapy, and older age. Conversely, non-Hispanic black race, Hispanic ethnicity, marital status, residing in metropolitan areas, and chemotherapy were identified as protective factors against suicide.