Drug Combinations may Raise Risk for Breast Cancer Survivors

An article posted by Marilynn Marchione of the Associated Press on May 31, 2009 gives reference to a Study reported Saturday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual meeting, in Orlando, Fla.

The Study, being the largest to look at this issue, found that using some antidepressants can prevent the cancer drug tamoxifen for working properly.

The study states Breast Cancer survivors risk having their disease come back if they use certain antidepressants while also taking the cancer prevention drug tamoxifen. Tomaxifen cuts in half the chances of a breast cancer recurrence. Because hormone pills are not considered safe after breast cancer, many women also take antidepressants for hot flashes caused by tomaxifen. The new study found that using these interfering drugs - including Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft - can virtually wipe out the benefit tamoxifen provides.

Many doctors question the magnitude of harm from combining these medicines. A smaller study did not show this problem.

The Bottom Line is the same: Not all antidepressants pose this problem and women should talk to their doctors about which ones are best for them.

you can read another article on the report: Some Antidepressants May Thwart Tamoxifen's Effect on Breast Cancer here

Take care and stay healthy, Leigh