A cohort comprising patients from the Cancer Registry of Norway 1960-1997 was linked to suicide diagnosis in the Register of Deaths at Statistics Norway & observed during 1960-1999. During the period, 589 cancer patients died by suicide. Risk was highest in the first months after diagnosis & the risk was greater among male patients with cancer of respiratory organs. Cancer may be a risk factor for suicide, particularly shortly after diagnosis. However, the relative risk gradually decreased during 1960-1999. (40 refs)