Why do some cancer patients with depression desire an early death and others do not?

Major depression is a well-documented risk factor for suicide in cancer patients as well as in the general population. However there are no data explaining why some cancer patients suffering from major depression have suicidal ideation, while others do not. The authors investigated the background differences among cancer patients suffering from major depression with and without suicidal ideation by analyzing the consultation data of patients referred to the psychiatry division. Among the 1,721 referred patients, 220 (12.8%) were diagnosed with major depression, and of these 113 (51.4%) had suicidal ideation. Logistic regression analysis indicated that poor physical functioning and severe depression were significant risk factors. These preliminary findings suggest that the severity of major depression and physical functioning are important indicators of suicidal ideation among cancer patients.