Infertility Treatment Doesn’t Increase Cancer Risk, Study Finds
Women undergoing infertility treatment do not have an overall increased risk of developing cancer, according to a recent study. The findings address previous concerns that hormonal stimulation during assisted reproductive technologies could potentially elevate cancer risk.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia analyzed the national medical and cancer records of 417,984 women who received infertility treatment between 1991 and 2018. They tracked cancer incidence among participants for approximately 10 years and compared it to cancer rates in women of similar ages who had not undergone treatment.
The study, published recently, revealed no significant difference in cancer rates between the two groups. This research offers reassurance to individuals considering fertility treatments and highlights the importance of evidence-based information in reproductive healthcare.
“While some increases in certain cancers were observed in the infertility treatment group, the actual additional number of cases is very small,” said Dr. Adrian Walker, who led the study. “In most cancers, the number of additional cases was only 3 to 7 per 100,000 women per year.”
The researchers noted that the use of ovulation-inducing drugs during assisted reproductive technologies can temporarily elevate levels of hormones like estrogen, which could potentially affect hormone-sensitive tissues such as the uterine lining and ovaries. However, the study did not establish a clear causal link between infertility treatment and cancer development.
The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for overall cancer in women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF) was the same as that of the general population (SIR 1). Women who received intrauterine insemination also showed a similar result (SIR 0.99). An SIR of less than 1 indicates a lower risk compared to the general population.
The findings could help alleviate anxieties among those seeking fertility assistance and inform clinical discussions about potential risks and benefits.
