Study: IVF does not increase cancer risk

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) -- Women getting fertility treatments can be reassured that in vitro fertilization (IVF) does not increase their risk of breast and gynecological cancers, according to a U.S. study of Israeli women.

Ovulation-stimulating drugs or puncturing of the ovaries to retrieve eggs can be part of IVF treatments, procedures that researchers have suspected may increase women's risk of cancer.

Indeed, previous studies did link IVF early in life to heightened risks of breast cancer and borderline ovarian tumors.

However, the National Cancer Institute says “the findings of this study are fairly reassuring. Nothing was significantly elevated."