Although conclusive evidence has yet to be found on the subject, there are studies and long-term data suggesting a link between Xanax use and certain types of cancer.
At this point in time, the clearest answer to the question of whether Xanax causes cancer is that we don’t fully know. For individuals who take Xanax and other benzodiazepine drugs for anxiety and panic disorders, even the slightest chance that Xanax can cause or facilitate any type of cancer may dissuade them from use.
Although there is no defined answer as to whether Xanax specifically causes cancer, studies have been conducted suggesting a relationship between benzodiazepine use and certain forms of cancer.
A longitudinal population-based case-control study was conducted that pulled 12 years of data from a Taiwan National Health Insurance database. This investigation looked for links between the use of benzodiazepines and the risk of cancer among individuals ages 20 years and up.
Higher risk of brain cancer
Higher risk of colorectal cancer
This study found that 42,500 cases diagnosed with cancer were identified and analyzed for benzodiazepine use. Outcomes were observed according to an individual’s length of exposure as well as their defined daily dose. Cancer risk among benzodiazepine users was found to be significantly higher — 98 percent higher for brain cancer, 25 percent higher for colorectal cancer, and 10 percent higher for lung cancer — compared to those who did not use benzodiazepines.
When it comes to cancer, not all benzodiazepine drugs are created equal. Long-term use of these commonly prescribed benzodiazepines have been observed to potentially have a link with cancer:
A meta-analysis performed in 2020 investigated the association of hypnotics such as Xanax and their potential link to certain forms of cancer.
The meta-analysis did in fact reveal a correlation between hypnotic use and increased risk of cancer. The study asserted that lower-dose hypnotics that are shorter in duration had less of an association with increased cancer risk. Benzodiazepines with an anxiolytic effect were shown to have a lower cancer risk than sedatives, but Xanax is a sedative.
In an overall sense, this meta-analysis found that the risk of cancer was greater in hypnotics drug users than nonusers in the 27 studies that were pooled.
The study also asserts that randomized control trials are necessary to provide any sort of confirmation on whether there is a definitive link between Xanax use and the development of cancer.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not list cancer as a direct side effect of alprazolam (Xanax).
In long-term, controlled, pre-clinical animal studies on mice and rats, researchers did not find any evidence of carcinogenic potential in this medication. This means it does not increase an individual’s risk of developing cancer.
Their studies also showed no signs of mutagenic effects. Mutagenesis is the process by which cellular DNA becomes altered or destroyed, disrupting normal cell function and leading to mutations that could form into tumors and cancer.
However, the agency has issued standards to control its use. According to FDA prescribing guidelines for Xanax, individuals should only use this medication for a short while as prescribed. Long-term use could lead to physical dependence and cognitive impairment.
Studies mentioned above assert that benzodiazepine exposure increased the likelihood of the development of the following types of cancers:
Brain
Colorectal
Lung
Esophagus
Prostate
Bladder
Liver
Pancreas
These studies did not suggest an association between benzo use and ovarian cancer, colon cancer, or malignant melanoma.
The International Journal of Cancer released a study that sheds additional light on which specific types of cancer Xanax and other benzodiazepines may have a relation to. This study suggests that benzodiazepine use increased the risk of cancers mentioned previously in addition to breast cancer, renal cell cancer, and stomach cancer.
There are certain variables that may or may not influence previous findings showing a link between long-term Xanax use and cancer. For instance, these studies and their associated results may have been skewed by such variables as alcohol and tobacco use, which have been linked in a definitive sense to the development of certain types of cancer, especially in the stomach and lungs.
The use of substances such as alcohol and tobacco in conjunction with Xanax use still needs to be studied. Both alcohol and tobacco products are often used in combination with Xanax and other benzos when the substances are misused.
It’s important to also note that anxiety and insomnia have been shown to be linked to cancer. A high percentage of cancer patients suffer from anxiety disorders and depression.
Further research still needs to be conducted to provide definitive evidence of a connection between long-term Xanax use and the types of cancer it may or may not cause or help facilitate.
No matter the findings, it’s crucial to understand that Xanax is not intended for long-term use. There are additional proven negative side effects that come with long-term Xanax use, including physical and psychological dependence as well as addiction.
If you have used Xanax for a prolonged period of time, it’s important to get help stopping use. Do not attempt to stop taking Xanax or any benzodiazepine suddenly on your own. Consult a doctor, so you can safely and gradually wean off the medication. If you need assistance, contact us or come to our Florida alcohol & drug rehab for trusted support.
Individuals who are prescribed sedatives for long-term use often have high rates of tobacco use as well as heavy alcohol consumption and a more sedentary lifestyle. In studies that link Xanax to an increased cancer risk, these substances are the actual carcinogens driving the uptick in rates.
When lifestyle factors, including habits like smoking, drinking, diet, and activity level, are considered in research, it can become difficult to pinpoint and isolate a true causal connection between the target exposure and the cancer risk. This is especially the case when an individual is suffering from co-occurring disorders, such as mental health problems and substance use disorders.
These confounding variables can distort research findings and make observational studies misleading. This includes the often-cited Taiwan Database Study, which linked benzodiazepine use with a higher risk of cancer development. While the study found an increased cancer risk in high-dose benzo users, researchers did acknowledge that participants have higher rates of comorbidities as well as lifestyle-related risks.
Severe physical discomfort, insomnia, and anxiety are some of the initial warning signs of early, undetected cancer. As benzodiazepines like alprazolam are commonly used to control issues like changes in sleep architecture and generalized anxiety disorder, doctors may prescribe Xanax to treat these pre-diagnosis symptoms.
In turn, this leads to a false statistical timeline, incorrectly suggesting a causal relationship between the drug and the disease.
In medical research, this is known as reverse causality, or indication bias. It makes it appear as if the drug caused the cancer, when the underlying symptoms were actually present before the individual began the medication regimen. Other underlying factors, including lifestyle and co-occurring conditions, can also increase cancer risk and skew research findings.
