Review of the epidemiological literature on antidepressant use and breast cancer risk.

Based on evidence that antidepressants increase levels of prolactin and may promote the growth of mammary tumor cells, there has been concern that the use of these drugs may increase the risk of breast cancer. This article reviews the epidemiological evidence on the relationship between breast cancer risk and the use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the tricyclic antidepressants and other antidepressants. Overall, the evidence does not support the hypothesis that the use of antidepressants increases the risk of breast cancer. There is a dearth of data on long-term selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use. Since these drugs are commonly used, it is prudent public health policy to monitor breast cancer incidence among women using this class of drug for long durations.