A new study shows that a type of antidepressant could decrease the risk of developing colorectal can
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, an antidepresant, seems to stop or at least reduce the growth of the cancerous cells, this way inhibiting the development of the colon cancer. Experts recommend to avoid taking these drugs for their cancer-preventing properties because the were no solid proofs that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors really stops cancer.
An older test conducted on a group of almost 17,000 people, from which 3500 were diagnosed with colon cancer showed that people who used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors daily for at least five years earlier had a lower colorectal cancer risk rate. The researchers concluded that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors decreases the risk of colon cancer by stopping the evolution of the tumor cells.
There still are experts that don't agree with this study saying that it is inconclusive, mainly because most of the colorectal risk factors, factors like obesity, smoking, lack of exercise and so on, are causes for depression to. Their main argument is that if you get rid of the depression and start having a healthy life then the risk of colon cancer is reduced.
But both sides agree on a simple thing: further studies are required to elucidate the role played by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the prevention of colorectal cancer. Besides, antidepressants are know for creating addiction and a large field of health problems. Surely they are not as worse as colon cancer but if they aren't controlled those problems will become even worse.
Most physicians don't yet agree on prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors against colorectal cancer. There aren't yet any concludent proves to support the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and the physicians are well aware of the risks imposed by the excessive use of antidepressants.