Longitudinal Risk for Suicidal Self-Directed Violence Among Veterans With Cancer
Cancer care is not only about treating tumors. For many patients, especially veterans, it also requires attention to mental health, pain, functional decline, and social support. A large national study of U.S. veterans with cancer found that suicidal self-directed violence, or SSDV, remains a serious concern for years after diagnosis. SSDV includes both fatal suicide and nonfatal suicide attempts. The findings highlight the need for cancer care teams to screen for suicide risk over time, not just at the moment of diagnosis.
