Psychosocial interventions show no significant changes in suicidal behavior severity among cancer patients across nine randomized trials
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Key Takeaway
Note that psychosocial interventions did not significantly change suicidal behavior severity in cancer patients.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined psychosocial interventions and demographic or clinical factors associated with suicidal behavior in people with cancer. The review synthesized data from 39 studies used for risk assessment and nine randomized controlled trials used for intervention assessment. The setting of these studies was not reported in the source document.
The analysis found that the combined effect of risk factors for suicidal behavior was weak but statistically significant. However, the combined effect of risk factors for suicidal death was not statistically significant. Regarding interventions, the degree of suicidal behavior in intervention groups versus control groups showed no significant changes.
No adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuations, or tolerability data were reported for the interventions. The authors state that the available evidence limits evidence-informed clinical decision-making, service planning, and prioritization of future research in oncology and survivorship care. These limitations underscore the need for further investigation into effective strategies for managing suicidal behavior in this population.
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View Original Abstract ↓
BACKGROUND: Suicide among people with cancer is on the rise. However, the absence of integrated evidence limits evidence-informed clinical decision-making, service planning, and the prioritization of future research in oncology and survivorship care.
OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to synthesize cumulative evidence of: (1) the risk of suicidal behavior and death by examining the demographic and clinical factors and (2) the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in alleviating the severity of suicidal behavior among people with cancer.
METHODS: An intensive electronic literature search was performed using major databases, such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO, from database inception to the most recent update prior to analysis (December 2025).
RESULTS: A total of 39 studies were selected for assessment of risk of suicidal behavior and death, and 9 studies (randomized controlled trials) for assessment of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for the management of suicidal behavior among people with cancer. The combined effect of risk factors for suicidal behavior was weak but statistically significant, while the combined effect of risk factors for suicidal death was not statistically significant. As for the assessment of psychosocial interventions, the cumulative effect size indicated that the intervention groups did not show significant changes in the degree of suicidal behavior compared with the control groups.
CONCLUSION: Future studies on psychosocial interventions may target on managing depression and suicidal behavior, while non-modifiable risk factors for suicidal behavior and death may be the focus of preventive measures and stratification to improve the methodology of future studies.
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