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 antidepressants (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.
35th Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research, Seattle, June 2000
And we are told that these drugs are completely safe and virtually without side effects. NEVER, EVER forget that drugs prescribed by physicians are the fifth leading cause of death in this country. If Paxil can cause such a significant increase in breast cancer rates after only 2-3 years on the market, imagine how much more damage may be done with really long-term use.