IVF May Increase Breast Cancer Risk for Young Women

A new study suggests that in vitro fertilization (IVF) may increase a young woman’s chance of developing breast cancer compared to older women.

Researchers from the School of Population Health at the University of Western Australia followed women ages 20 to 44 who received IVF from 1983 to 2002, according to WebMD Health News. They found that women who started IVF at age 24 were 150 percent more likely to develop breast cancer compared to other women who received other forms of fertility treatment at the same age.

IVF involves the egg being fertilized outside of the woman’s body and then implanted in the woman’s uterus. Researchers note that additional estrogen is often given to women for this procedure, which raises levels of the hormone to, as much as 10 times more than during an average menstrual cycle.

“Reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen, have long been implicated in the development of breast cancer," note researchers.

If you or a loved one has undergone an unsafe medical procedure, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue legal action. Call us today at 800-581-6358.

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