Suicide risk among urinary bladder cancer patients compared with the standard population: a nationwide study…

Cohort studyScandinavian journal of urology· Nov 2025

Suicide risk among urinary bladder cancer patients compared with the standard population: a nationwide study in Sweden.

Lewar Hawez, Oskar Bergengren, Mats Ahlberg … Anna Bill-Axelson

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Bladder & Upper TractCohort studyClinical practiceQ2IF 1.9

Suicide risk is significantly elevated in bladder cancer patients versus the general population.

Suicide risk among urinary bladder cancer patients compared with the standard population: a nationwide study in Sweden.

Lewar Hawez … Anna Bill-Axelson

Scandinavian journal of urology · Nov 2025 · Q2 in Urology

Purpose

To assess the risk of suicide after a diagnosis of urinary bladder cancer (urinary bladder cancer) compared with the standard population and to identify potential risk factors and time dependence associated with suicide in patients with urinary bladder cancer.

Methods

We compared the number of suicides identified in BladderBaSe with the expected number in a Swedish standard population of the same age and sex distribution during the same period.

n = 53,298 patients

Results

bladder cancer patients face higher suicide risk than the general population

SMR 1.60 (95% CI 1.31 to 1.93)

null 0

1.31

1.93

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

The risk of suicide was highest within the first 4 weeks after diagnosis (standardized mortality ratios: 4.66; 95% CI: 2.48-7.97), in patients with advanced urinary bladder cancer (standardized mortality ratios: 5.64; 95% CI: 2.06-12.3), those receiving palliative treatment (standardized mortality ratios: 5.03; 95% CI: 2.51-9.01), and those living alone (standardized mortality ratios: 2.87; 95% CI: 2.22 - 3.66).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

The suicide risk among urinary bladder cancer patients is significantly elevated and shaped by multiple factors, with the highest risk observed in the first 4 weeks from diagnosis.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Healthcare providers should maintain heightened vigilance for suicidal ideation, particularly during the critical period immediately following diagnosis, to ensure timely support and intervention.

Suicide risk among urinary bladder cancer patients compared with the standard population: a nationwide study in Sweden.

Suicide risk among urinary bladder cancer patients compared with the standard population: a nationwide study in Sweden.

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