Fertility Drugs Do Not Increase Ovarian Cancer Risk

Women who have multiple treatments face little danger, Danish study says


FRIDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Women who take fertility drugs do not have an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to a large study by Danish researchers.

There's been ongoing debate about whether fertility drugs boost the likelihood of ovarian cancer. Previous studies have yielded conflicting findings, and concerns endure, especially for women who undergo several cycles of fertility drug treatment or those who never become pregnant.

In the new study, Danish Cancer Society researchers analyzed data from 54,362 women referred to fertility clinics between 1963 and 1998. Of those women, 156 developed ovarian cancer. The researchers adjusted for several risk factors and then assessed the effect of four groups of fertility drugs over an average period of 16 years.

The study found no overall increased risk for ovarian cancer after the use of any fertility drug. It also found no increased risk among women who had 10 or more cycles of fertility drug treatment or among women who never became pregnant.

The researchers did note a statistically significant increase in the risk of the most serious type of ovarian cancer among women who took the fertility drug clomiphene but indicated they believe this was a chance association. Read the entire article at US NEWS & WORLD REPORT...