Antidepressants linked to cancer risk in women, research bias is suggested
Printer-friendly versionAntidepressants may be linked to a slight increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers, even at low doses, according to the results of a new systematic review. The increased risk is particularly stronger for women taking newer, selective-serotonin re-uptake inhibitor drugs (SSRIs) compared to older antidepressants.
The Harvard University researcher, Lisa Cosgrove, also found a possible bias in the research studies that she reviewed. In her review of 61 studies, she found that all independent studies saw a connection between antidepressants and breast cancer, while most of the company-sponsored studies did not mention any link.
Read the article in PloS ONE: Antidepressants and Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk: A Review of the Literature and Researchers' Financial Associations with Industry
CTV reports on the bias suggested by the research: Study suggests bias in antidepressant, cancer research
See the story on the reseach in Bloomberg: Breast-Cancer Link to Paxil Drug Category Found in Antidepressant Research
Read the commentary on Pharmalot: Antidepressants, Breast Cancer & Industry Studies
The Canadian Women's Health Network and the Centres of Excellence for Women's Health program are financially supported by Health Canada through the Women's Health Contribution Program. The views herein do not necessarily represent the official policy of Health Canada.