ANTIDEPRESSANTS (SSRIs) MAY INCREASE BREAST CANCER RISK

August 2000 Healing Newsletter

Holistic Psychology

Manic Depression holistic treatments

Non toxic news

The brain and aging

Fluoride Scam

Energy medicine research

Well Mind Association

Prayer and mental health

Antidepressants may increase cancer risk

Update on Navarros - Parents fight the FDA

Free Wellness E-Zine

ANTIDEPRESSANTS (SSRIs) MAY INCREASE BREAST CANCER RISK

Submitted by Michael Traub, ND, from the 35th Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, Seattle, June 2000

Popular antidepressant drugs known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a case-controlled study involving more than 5,000 women, aged 25-74.

A previous study from the same authors, published earlier this year (May 15 - American Journal of Epidemiology), showed that women taking paroxetine (Paxil) had a seven-fold increased risk of breast cancer. Women taking tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs) were found to have about twice the risk.

In this most recent study, Paxil was associated with an increased risk of 70%, much lower than the seven-fold increase previously found, but still
significant enough to cause serious concern. Other SSRIs were also found to increase risk, although not by as much.

According to researchers, physicians should at least be aware that there may be some association and prescribe a drug other than paroxetine. Interestingly, Paxil had only been on the market for 2 to 3 years before the breast cancer cases were diagnosed.