IVF users at higher risk of ovarian cancer
Experts urge regular screening of patients who have had procedure
Women using in vitro fertilization are a third more likely to develop ovarian cancer, the largest ever study of fertility treatment has discovered.
Scientists at University College London said underlying problems in infertile women may be driving the increased risk, but warned the finding “leaves open the possibility” that the procedure itself might be to blame.
Previous studies suggested ovarian stimulation used to harvest eggs could fuel cancer, but most specialists dispute the danger. However, British experts said the new findings were serious enough to consider regular screening of IVF patients.
They called for infertile women to be told that the risk of ovarian cancer is higher than in natural conception.
Researchers studied every IVF procedure recorded by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in Britain from 1991 to 2010 — more than 250,000 women.
Alastair Sutcliffe of the Institute of Child Health at University College London said the research provided “mixed news” for patients.
“Compared to other women in the U. K. of the same age range and time frame, we found the rates of breast and uterine cancer were no different to U. K. women as a whole.
“However, there was an increased risk of ovarian cancer,” he said. Findings showed the risk was highest in the three years after treatment — and in younger women.
The authors of the report concluded: “Certain results argue against an association with assisted reproductive technology itself, but others leave open the possibility that it might affect risk.”
The risk is still small: just 15 in every 10,000 patients developed ovarian cancer in the study period.
Compared to other women ... of the same age range and time frame, we found the rates of breast and uterine cancer were no different to U. K. women as a whole. However, there was an increased risk of ovarian cancer. — Alastair Sutcliffe