IVF link to higher risk of ovarian cancer?

The biggest study ever conducted on fertility treatment worldwide observed an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

But scientists are divided on whether the findings mean IVF is directly to blame – or if the increased risk is linked to the women’s existing fertility problems.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in the UK.

“We welcome any new research that helps us to build on our knowledge of ovarian cancer, but this study reiterates what we already know – that ovarian cancer risk is marginally greater in women with a long menstrual history, i.e. those who don’t have children”, she tells HuffPost UK Lifestyle.

Scientists at University College London analysed records of more than 255,000 British adults who received IVF treatment between 1991 and 2010 to draw their conclusions. During a follow-up period of 8.8 years, there were 386 cases of ovarian cancer.

They found women who undergo IVF are 37 per cent more likely to develop the disease than woman who’ve not had the treatment. What is more, the researchers found that as women age, levels of mitochondrial DNA in embryos increase, which may be a key factor in reproductive aging.

However the findings showed the risk was highest in the first three years after receiving treatment and in younger women. This is a 1/3 greater likelihood of developing ovarian cancer compared to the general population of women.

But charities said IVF patients should not be overly alarmed.

Fertility expert Prof Charles Kingsland, of Liverpool Women’s Hospital, cautioned that the study “only suggests a possible link” between IVF and cancer.

While underlying health issues in infertile females may be causing the increased risk, the research was open about IVF itself being the potential culprit. The figure is around 11 in 10,000 generally.

Professor Nargund said IVF should be used only when it was really needed, adding: ‘We must, where possible, help couples conceive as naturally as possible. We should be moving towards milder stimulation and fewer drugs in IVF’.

They say cells on the surface of the ovary divide to fix the damage each time an egg is released – and that with more eggs being produced, more surface cells need to divide. “The causative factors at the moment are not clear, but until they are, we should support cancer screening on the NHS”, she said.

However, experts warned the discovery was serious enough to consider screening IVF patients. That team, writing in the journal Human reproduction, also said that whatever raises the risk for infertility may also raise the risk of ovarian cancer.

The finding of an increased association of risk between women who had endometriosis and ART is interesting.

Ovarian cancer is marked by symptoms that include persistent stomach pain, bloating or increased stomach size, difficulty eating, and more frequent urination. Women should be armed with as much information as possible, so they can make well informed decisions about their health.

“It’s important to remember that we are talking about a very small risk here”.

The research was presented at the annual conference of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in Baltimore.