Suicide By Cancer

Pearlie Mae Frierson Leach, for whom we are named, was suffering with cancer prior to her death. Breast cancer had reached her back and was in her bones. Our experience is that the diagnosis created what the editor's at the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI) would say:

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a stressful event and may increase risks of suicide and cardiovascular death, especially soon after diagnosis.(JNCI)

That was our experience but we have earlier memories of women whom hide their breast cancers from their families until the disease so ravaged their bodies that they could no longer disguise either the smell or the effects until hospitalized. Death soon followed. In our opinions both situations should be considered "cancer-assisted suicide" when patients refuse or avoid treatment. You've heard of "suicide-by-cop" this is a similar condition we believe.

The authors from the best hospitals in the US, Sweden and Iceland reached this conclusion:

"A diagnosis of prostate cancer may increase the immediate risks of suicide and cardiovascular death." (JNCI)

Emotional counseling and support should be provided for patients with newly diagnosed cancer. These results add to the complex debate of pros and cons of extensive prostate-specific antigen testing and the many nonlethal prostate cancers thus detected. (JNCI)

We support their conclusions though our support comes from our own anecdotal experiences. While offering counseling we hope the facilities will look beyond their own staffs and into the communities they serve for diversity in counseling and support. Even in the best of circumstances professionals might not be able to override cultural biases and fears fed by their own anecdotal history. Pearlie Mae was prayed over, friend supported by best friend cancer survivors and still choose "cancer-assisted suicide" rather than receive chemotherapy.

Although the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn't separate their 2006 data by state in reference to race the numbers for suicide especially among African-American women is not considered very high (about twenty-fifth according to Center for Disease Control (CDC Table 14 by Race)25th, the figures for African-American men is substantially higher (about fourteenth) 14th. By jurisdiction the leader in suicides for 2006 was North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland followed by the District of Columbia according to the CDC (Table 29). The four (4) or five (5) leading causes of death in our jurisdiction and the nation are preventable. This isn't secret information. Yet we do not take the steps that should be taken to prevent the preventable.

Other suicidal considerations could be financial. Especially among the aged and the elderly.

"New Avalere research suggests that the cost of providing infusion services in community oncology practices may be higher than the associated payments from Medicare. This study – the most comprehensive to date on infusion-related services performed by community oncology practices and associated costs – suggests that many oncology offices in community settings are losing money on some key services." (Avalere Health, DC)

Patients live with cancer until they die. There is no cure to living - obviously we live to die. Whether or not that contributes to the person's depression (which obviously leads to a decision to either commit suicide or to choose "cancer-assisted suicide") when one chooses to not seek treatment is not known.

Typically, malignant mesothelioma will respond to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but these treatments are not able to fully cure the cancer. (Asbestos)

We speak of treatment (chemotherapy) as though its a pill to take or needle to receive. We acknowledge that it is non-invasive yet an immensely strong and debilitating procedure. Indeed knowledge of the intensity of the procedure may be another factor in such ultimate decisions.

"(C)hemobrain or, less catchily, "cancer treatment-related change in cognitive function" - a widespread problem for cancer patients which, until recently, has been largely ignored by clinicians. For many, it's the last straw after months of treatment. You might struggle to find the right word for an object or be unable to follow a fast-paced conversation. Or you might have trouble multitasking. You might even forget your own phone number. More than just irritating, these occurrences can shake your confidence, damage your career, upset your social and family lives and, in extremis, even put you in danger." (Guardian News)

The hope, which is where we live and what we have, is that although patients "complain that doctors dismiss these symptoms, "or put them down to stress, depression, fatigue or the menopause." When they hear that there may be concrete physical causes, and that the condition usually abates a year or two after the chemo finishes, their relief is palpable."

That's the hope. Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's uncomfortable. Yes, it's difficult but there is light at the end of the tunnel. We support the call for counseling but not just for patients but for physicians as well. Yes, we know the above information comes from across the pond nonetheless, we believe the circumstances remain the same there as here. It's a pervasive problem that affects the medical community whether American or British, patients speak but doctor's don't listen until it's too late.