Does fertility treatment increase breast cancer risk? Ask IVF Expert in India
  • Are you suffering from breast cancer?
  • Are you looking for IVF treatment but concerned about your breast health?

If you’re thinking about getting fertility treatment, you might be concerned about how it will affect your breast health. To be clear, fertility treatment does not interfere with breast concerns.

It’s important to know, though, that the hormones used in these procedures can change your hormones in a way that is similar to what happens naturally right before your period. This could cause your breasts to look lumpy for a short time. Keep in mind that these are hormone changes, not fertility treatment side effects! Says Dr. Puneet Rana Arora, Director and Founder, CIFAR IVF Centre, Gurgaon.

Dr Puneet Rana Says, Fertility treatments involve the use of hormones, but scientific evidence shows that they do not increase the chances of breast cancer. While women with an existing predisposition may be at risk, it is important to emphasize that fertility treatments themselves are not a cause.

What is Fertility Treatment?

In-Vitro fertilization or IVF is the most effective and successful assisted reproductive technology procedure giving maximum clinical pregnancy rate per month.  Fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), involve hormonal stimulation to induce ovulation.

Woman Concerned?

Many women who came to our facility for fertility treatment expressed anxiety that the process, which exposes them to increased amounts of hormones such as oestrogen, might raise their risk of breast cancer. However, research investigating the relationship between reproductive treatments and the risk of breast cancer has yet to reveal a definite correlation. Dr. Puneet Rana Arora explains

Let’s see Here’s what some studies suggest:

1. No Significant Increase in Risk:

Women who get reproductive treatments do not have a significantly higher risk of breast cancer than women who do not, according to several big studies.

According to these research, although fertility treatments do raise hormone levels, they might not be high enough or persistent long enough to substantially raise the risk of breast cancer.

Certain research findings indicate that fertility treatments did not markedly elevate the incidence rate of breast cancer in women with a familial history of breast cancer or BRCA mutations. – Examine the research1

One study indicates A total of 25 studies involving 617,479 participants were deemed eligible for inclusion. No significant association was found between fertility treatment and breast cancer risk when compared to general and subfertility reference groups.2

2. Factors to Consider:

Dr Puneet Rana Arora Says, the impact may vary based on individual factors, such as a

  • woman’s age,
  • family history of breast cancer, and
  • personal risk factors (e.g., carrying BRCA gene mutations).

3. Consider some Protective Factors:

Successful pregnancies after reproductive treatments may lessen the incidence of breast cancer. Pregnancy and breastfeeding (post-pregnancy is a must) cause hormonal changes that may reduce the risk of developing long-term breast cancer.

Overall, the information we have now does not clearly show that fertility treatments greatly raise the risk of getting breast cancer. Women who are looking for fertility treatments should discuss the risks with us. This is particularly crucial if the woman has a family history of breast cancer. Dr. Puneet Rana Arora, Senior Fertility Treatment Expert at CIFAR IVF Centre, says

4. Fertility Counselling and Support Groups

We at CIFAR IVF Centre offer fertility counselling, which enables couples to talk about their problems and feelings with experts and get proper guidance. It also helps couples understand their treatment. Also, we at CIFAR Support Groups provide a safe and non-judgemental environment where couples can explore their concerns, celebrate successes, and gain valuable insights to enhance their relationship journey together.



Your dreams of becoming a mother should not be stopped by false beliefs. Knowing something gives you power, and we’re here to help and make things clear.

Need help?

Contact us at helpdesk@cifarivf.com OR Call us at +91 9958009305 WhatsApp at  8826539305 for questions related to Fertility Treatment in Delhi NCR

References:

  1. https://academic.oup.com/bjsopen/article/6/1/zrab149/6526446
  2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9513064/

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