Question:
For people with raised prolactin levels due to taking antipsychotic medication, what is the risk of developing breast cancer or any other long term physical health complication?
Answer:
No definite clinical implications can be made based on the
available evidence. Two retrospective cohort studies were
identified that addressed this BEST question, one of which
suggested that their evidence should reassure physicians and
patients that atypical antipsychotics do not increase the risk of
breast cancer when compared to typical antipsychotics. The authors
of the other trial, however, found a small, but significant
increased risk of breast cancer with antipsychotic dopamine
antagonist use. These findings led the authors to suggest that
current treatment strategies need not be changed, but that the
findings need to be confirmed in further rigorously conducted,
adequately powered, studies.
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