title: Use of antidepressant medications and the possible association with breast cancer risk. A review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antidepressant medication use has dramatically increased over the past decade, particularly for the newer classes such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. While there is no question about the usefulness of these medications, it is important to review animal and epidemiologic studies that have evaluated the association between antidepressant medication use and the risk of breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  This paper reviews the scientific literature pertaining to the prevalence of and indications for antidepressant medication use, and the possible association between antidepressant medication use and breast cancer risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Antidepressant medications are most commonly indicated for depressive disorders, and are also used for other conditions (e.g., anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and pain). In addition, antidepressants may be an effective alternative to estrogen therapy for the alleviation of hot flashes among peri-/postmenopausal women. Several epidemiologic studies have reported that certain antidepressants may be associated with a slightly increased breast cancer risk; however, the literature remains inconsistent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The possibility of an association between certain antidepressant medications and breast cancer risk has not been excluded, although further studies are needed before the body of scientific evidence can be conclusive. Evidence to date does not support a change in the current use of antidepressant medications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Preventive Oncology, Cancer Care Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Saira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bahl
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotterchio
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kreiger
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000139:chemically induced; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000139:chemically induced; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents