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

Overview

Veterans living with cancer face a meaningful and persistent risk of suicidal self-directed violence (SSDV), a term that includes both fatal suicide and nonfatal suicide attempts. A large national study of more than 292,000 veterans with invasive solid tumors or hematologic cancers found that this risk remains elevated not only near the time of diagnosis, but also years later during survivorship.

This study is important because it goes beyond fatal suicide alone. Nonfatal attempts are a major warning sign, a source of serious injury, and often the strongest predictor of future suicide-related harm. By tracking both fatal and nonfatal events, the study provides a fuller picture of suicide risk in cancer care.