Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the management of depression in women with breast cancer: evidence and gaps

SUMMARY Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. An estimated 1 in 7 women in the UK will receive a diagnosis during their lifetime, and up to 20% of people with breast cancer are treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This comorbidity is a particularly important consideration for those co-prescribed hormonal cancer treatments. This article explores the complex relationship between breast cancer and mental illness, examining associations between hormonal breast cancer treatments, the premature menopause they can induce and SSRIs. It addresses prescribing considerations in this population, focusing on the co-prescribing of endocrine treatments such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors with SSRIs and other psychotropic medications.