Antidepressants Can Increase Breast and Ovarian Cancers

With almost 30 million people in America taking antidepressants, special attention should be paid to a new comprehensive review of studies on antidepressants and their potential role in the development of breast and ovarian cancer. A team of researchers led by Dr. Linda Cosgrove at Harvard University reviewed 61 studies and assessed the relationship between breast and ovarian cancer. An average increase in cancer risk of 11% per patient was documented.

The disturbing researcher-drug company connection

An alarming note: Cosgrove and team found that researchers with affiliations to the pharmaceutical industry were significantly less likely than researchers without these ties to conclude that antidepressants increase the risk of breast or ovarian cancer. In the 15 cases where there was a drug maker link, not one study found a cancer link. Of the 46 others, 43 percent cited a risk.

The strongest association between antidepressants and these cancers was with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Of 16 studies that looked at this class of antidepressants, which includes Paxil and Prozac, 15 showed a higher chance of cancer.

Read the full report here.