A 21-year-old G0 presents to your office for a routine annual gynecologic examination. She reports that she has previously been sexually active, but currently is not dating anyone. She has had three sexual partners in the past, and says she diligently used condoms. She is a senior in college and is doing well academically and has many friends. She lives at home with her parents and a younger sibling. She reports her 80-year-old grandmother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She has no other family history of cancer. She says she is healthy and has no history of medical problems or surgeries. She smokes tobacco and drinks beer occasionally, but denies any illicit drug use. Her menses started at the age of 13 years, and are regular and light without dysmenorrhea. Her blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg. Her height is 5 ft 6 in and she weighs 130 lb.
Based on this patient’s history, what would be the most likely cause of death if she were to die at the age of 21 years?
A. SuicideThe leading causes of death in women between the ages of 20 and 24 years, in order of decreasing frequency, are as follows: injuries/accidents, suicide, malignancy, homicide, heart disease, pregnancy complications, birth defects, influenza and pneumonia, stroke, septicemia, and diabetes.