Developing postcancer identity
Survivors also appeared to have developed a post-cancer identity that was more invested in personal relationships or in taking a more active role in their own health.
“Treating my prostate cancer gave me a second chance,” said one survivor. “Yeah, I’m a survivor, but more importantly, I’m a loving husband now. I know I wasn’t as giving back then.”
Another man admitted that before his diagnosis, he never went to the doctor. “I go much more often now,” he said. “You need to check up on yourself, at least once a year. Could have caught the cancer earlier if I was doing that.”
These comments appear to be borne out by data released last year by the American Cancer Society (ACS), which found that the number of number of cancer-related suicides in the United States was on the decline, as reported by this news organization.
Some of the biggest decreases occurred in men with prostate cancer, although prostate cancer was associated with 15% of cancer-related suicides. Only lung cancer was associated with more cancer-related suicides, at 18%.
A factor in the decrease in cancer-related suicides was likely to be an increase in the use of supportive care services, the ACS researchers commented.
“Although no causal relationship can be established, our findings suggest an evolving role of psycho-oncology care and palliative and hospice care given the promotion and increased utilization of these services among cancer patients during this period,” they commented.
The study was funded by the Cancer Institute NSW. Dr. Mazariego and colleagues have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.