A cancer diagnosis often triggers profound psychological and emotional distress as individuals reflect on existential issues such as life and death. The aim of this review was to provide estimates of suicide risk associated with digestive cancer worldwide, and to identify sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors associated with suicide risk in patients with digestive cancer. Materials and methods: The literature search was guided by the following question: What is the relationship between suicide and digestive cancer, and what sociodemographic, psychological, and clinical factors contribute to the risk of suicide in these patients? We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, and systematically reviewed the evidence, according to PRISMA guidelines, from relevant articles on the association between digestive system cancers and suicide outcomes published over a 14-year period (2011–2024). Eligible studies were searched in the main scientific databases up to August 2024. Results: There are many reasons why people die by suicide, including challenges faced by patients in mentally adapting to their new condition and physical illness. Studies have shown that the highest suicide rates in digestive cancer patients are observed in males, older age groups, single people, those with a poor cancer prognosis, and those with a lack of treatment provision (surgery or chemotherapy). The risk of suicide peaks at six months post-discrimination, remains stable for three years, and then declines. Conclusions: Systematic changes in cancer care, such as aggressive treatment of pain and physical symptoms, management of delirium and cognitive impairment, routine screening, increased monitoring, and proactive measures for high-risk patients, can play a critical role in preventing unnecessary deaths and addressing the increased vulnerability of cancer patients, underscoring the need for targeted psychological support and early intervention, especially during critical periods like diagnosis and post-treatment recovery.
癌症诊断常引发患者对生死等存在议题的深刻反思，导致显著的心理与情绪困扰。本综述旨在量化全球范围内消化系统癌症相关的自杀风险，并识别影响此类患者自杀风险的社会人口学、心理学及临床因素。材料与方法：文献检索围绕核心问题展开：消化系统癌症与自杀之间存在何种关联？哪些社会人口学、心理学及临床因素会加剧此类患者的自杀风险？我们遵循PRISMA指南，系统检索了PubMed、PsycINFO、Embase、CINAHL和Web of Science数据库中2011年至2024年间发表的关于消化系统癌症与自杀结局关联的研究文献，最终纳入截至2024年8月的主要科学数据库中的合格研究。结果：患者自杀存在多重诱因，包括对新诊断状态的心理适应困难及躯体疾病带来的挑战。研究表明，消化系统癌症患者中自杀率最高的人群特征为：男性、高龄、单身、癌症预后不良以及缺乏手术或化疗等治疗措施者。自杀风险在确诊后六个月达到峰值，随后三年保持稳定，之后逐渐下降。结论：癌症照护体系的系统性变革——如积极处理疼痛与躯体症状、管理谵妄与认知障碍、实施常规筛查、加强监测以及对高危患者采取主动干预措施——对预防不必要的死亡、应对癌症患者脆弱性升高具有关键作用。这凸显了针对性心理支持与早期干预的必要性，尤其在诊断及治疗后恢复等关键时期更需重点关注。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家