© 2001 by Oxford University Press
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 93, No. 21, 1585,
November 7, 2001
© 2001 Oxford University Press
MEMORANDUM FOR: Science Writers and Editors on the Journal Press List
Major Study Finds No Link Between Tamoxifen and Depression
November 1, 2001 (EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE 4 P.M. ET November 6)
A nationwide study shows that, despite previous concerns, use of tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer neither causes depression nor worsens depressive episodes.
Richard Day, Ph.D., of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), Pittsburgh, and associates, analyzed data from women participating in the NSABP study of tamoxifen’s usefulness in preventing breast cancer. Their results, which show no difference in rates of depression between women receiving tamoxifen and those on placebo, regardless of baseline risk of depression, appear in the Nov. 7 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
It is known that hormone replacement therapy (e.g., estrogen) has positive effects on mood. Because tamoxifen has anti-estrogenic activity, concerns have been voiced by investigators and physicians that tamoxifen could have negative effects on mood. To test this theory, the study group analyzed data from women participating in the NSABP trial of tamoxifen’s ability to prevent breast cancer (the Breast Cancer Prevention Study). In the trial, women received either 20 mg of tamoxifen or a placebo daily for up to 5 years.
As part of the trial, each participant was assessed for depression risk on the basis of information collected as she entered the study. Relevant items were a medical history of depression, any prescription for antidepressant medicine, and a year or more of being "depressed or sad on most days." Women were placed into a risk group depending on whether they had 0 (low risk), 1 or 2 (medium risk), or 3 (high risk) of the medical history items regarding depression. Then, every 6 months, for a total of 36 months, the participants were assessed for depressive symptoms by completing the Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression (CES-D) questionnaire. Scores of 16 or more on this questionnaire were indicative of an episode of depression.
Data analysis showed that the proportion of women scoring 16 or higher was no different between women taking tamoxifen and those on placebo, regardless of the risk group. The authors conclude that physicians should not be overly concerned about a link between tamoxifen and depression.
Contact: Lori Garvey, NSABP, Pittsburgh, (412) 330-4621; fax: (412) 330-4660; lori.garvey{at}nsabp.org.
___________________________________
Day R, Ganz PA, Costantino JP. Tamoxifen and depression: more evidence from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project’s Breast Cancer Prevention (P-1) Randomized Study. J Natl Cancer Inst 2001;93:1615–23.
Note: This memo to reporters is from the Journal staff and is not an official release of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) or Oxford University Press (OUP) nor does it reflect NCI or OUP policy. In addition, unless otherwise stated, all articles and items published in the Journal reflect the individual views of the authors and not necessarily the official points of view held by NCI, any other component of the U.S. government, OUP, or the organizations with which the authors are affiliated. Neither NCI nor any other component of the U.S. government nor OUP assumes any responsibility for the completeness of the articles or other items or the accuracy of the conclusions reached therein.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||