According to a Canadian study published in JAMA Oncology, moderate to severe anxiety, depression, and shortness of breath symbolize nonfatal self-injury among cancer patients. In a population-based control study for 180 days after a fresh diagnosis, each symptom was linked with a 60% hike in the risk of NFSI. Julie Hallet, MD, an associate scientist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto stated that the physicians should be aware that self-injury is a problem after a cancer diagnosis. She added that attempted suicide doesn’t necessarily indicate self-injury. Self-injury can also represent a means to cope with a cancer diagnosis psychologically.  

The study included adults diagnosed between 2007 to 2019 who have completed the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) evaluation within 36 months following their diagnosis. The assessment has nine common symptoms such as pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, well-being, and shortness of breath to be rated on a scale of 0 to 10 with 0 being no symptom and 10 representing the worst symptom. The study included 406 diagnosed patients with NFSI and 1624 diagnosed controls without NFSI.

The results showed that the adjusted ratio for moderate to severe anxiety, depression, and shortness of breath were 1.61, 1.66, and 1.65 respectively. Each 10-point score was linked with higher risk at a ratio of 1.51. Based on the result, the author stated that the ESAS scores are important in identifying the pattern and providing better support to the patients. 

Madeline Li, MD, Ph.D., a psychiatrist and clinician-scientist at Toronto′s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre commented on the study that NFSI is linked with distress while cancer is the stressor. She added that the studies’ identification of three symptoms is significant as it intimates a clinician to identify the reason behind it. (Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972935?src= )