No Association Between Antidepressant Use and Breast Cancer Risk Found

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by D. Fultonkehoe and colleagues at the University of Washington has found no significant association between the use of antidepressant medications and breast cancer risk. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2006, analyzed data from over 14,000 women enrolled in the Group Health Cooperative (GHC) health maintenance organization in Washington State. The researchers found that prior to 1 year before diagnosis of breast cancer, about 20% of cases and controls had used tricyclic antidepressants, and 6% of each group had used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, there were no significant differences between cases and controls with regard to the number of prescriptions filled or the timing of use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from over 14,000 women enrolled in the Group Health Cooperative (GHC) health maintenance organization in Washington State.
  • The researchers found no significant association between the use of antidepressant medications and breast cancer risk.
  • Prior to 1 year before diagnosis of breast cancer, about 20% of cases and controls had used tricyclic antidepressants (adjusted odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 0.94-1.19).
  • 6% of each group had used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.80-1.18).
  • There were no significant differences between cases and controls with regard to the number of prescriptions filled or the timing of use.
  • The study did not find an altered risk of breast cancer associated with the use of antidepressants overall, by class, or for individual antidepressants.

Statistics:

  • 20% of cases and controls had used tricyclic antidepressants prior to 1 year before diagnosis of breast cancer.
  • 6% of each group had used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors prior to 1 year before diagnosis of breast cancer.
  • Adjusted odds ratio for tricyclic antidepressant use was 1.06 (95% CI 0.94-1.19).
  • OR for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use was 0.98 (95% CI 0.80-1.18).
  • There were 2904 cases of breast cancer and 14,396 controls in the study.

Sources:

  • Fultonkehoe, D. (2006). Use of antidepressant medications in relation to the incidence of breast cancer. British Journal of Cancer, 94(7), 1071-1078.
  • University of Washington, Dept. Environmental & Occupational Health Science, School Publ Health & Community Med, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
  • Nature Publishing Group, Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St., London N1 9XW, England.