Colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer in world wide incidence. However, if caught early, is easily treated with a high survival rate. Diet and lifestyle factors play a key role in risk for the disease, as well as family history of the disease.
Because diet and lifestyle play such an important role, investigators are always searching for preventative methods because the incidence is expected to rise. This year the results of a population based case review found an association between antidepressant use and the risk of colorectal cancer.
The study, carried out at McGill University in Montreal, showed that individuals who had a high daily intake of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) were less like to develop colorectal cancer. The results were published in the April issue of the journal Lancet Oncology.
Researchers at McGill University were looking for a connection in humans between antidepressant use and cancer risk. Previous studies in animals had shown that SSRIs inhibited growth of cancer cells. They choose to look at colorectal cancer because of its relatively high incidence.
Information was gathered on individuals' age 5 - 85 that were enrolled in the prescription drug benefit program through the Canadian government. From 1981 to 2000 a total of 6544 cases of colorectal cancer were identified. Intake of tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs were assessed based on the drug program. Their use was compared to the cancer cases and healthy matched controls.
SSRIs were shown to lower risk if used for 5 years at a high daily dose. The study did not take into account diet and lifestyle factors as well as other medications. Because of the relative newness of this information, the authors are not saying that there is a chemopreventative effect.
More studies are needed to determine the nature of the exact relationship. This would involve prescribing the medications to those at risk and observing the long term effect and comparing it to healthy matched controls after accounting for diet and lifestyle.
Still the results are promising. SSRIs are believed to act via an anti-promoter effect or direct cell killing.
Posted by Kristopher Foster on June 26, 2006 01:16 PM
