Alexandra W van den Belt-Dusebout1, Mandy Spaan1, Cornelis B Lambalk2, Marian Kortman3, Joop S E Laven4, Evert J P van Santbrink5, Lucette A J van der Westerlaken6, Ben J Cohlen7, Didi D M Braat8, Jesper M J Smeenk9, Jolande A Land10, Mariëtte Goddijn11, Ron J T van Golde12, Minouche M van Rumste13, Roel Schats2, Katarzyna Józwiak1, Michael Hauptmann1, Matti A Rookus1, Curt W Burger4, Flora E van Leeuwen1. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. 5. Department of Reproductive Medicine, Reinier de Graaf Hospital, Voorburg, the Netherlands. 6. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. 7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Isala Clinics, Zwolle, the Netherlands. 8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands. 9. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands. 10. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. 11. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 12. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. 13. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Abstract
IMPORTANCE: Previous studies of breast cancer risk after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were inconclusive due to limited follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term risk of breast cancer after ovarian stimulation for IVF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Historical cohort (OMEGA study) with complete follow-up through December 2013 for 96% of the cohort. The cohort included 19,158 women who started IVF treatment between 1983 and 1995 (IVF group) and 5950 women starting other fertility treatments between 1980 and 1995 (non-IVF group) from all 12 IVF clinics in the Netherlands. The median age at end of follow-up was 53.8 years for the IVF group and 55.3 years for the non-IVF group. EXPOSURES: Information on ovarian stimulation for IVF, other fertility treatments, and potential confounders was collected from medical records and through mailed questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Incidence of invasive and in situ breast cancers in women who underwent fertility treatments was obtained through linkage with the Netherlands Cancer Registry (1989-2013). Breast cancer risk in the IVF group was compared with risks in the general population (standardized incidence ratios [SIRs]) and the non-IVF group (hazard ratios [HRs]). RESULTS: Among 25,108 women (mean age at baseline, 32.8 years; mean number of IVF cycles, 3.6), 839 cases of invasive breast cancer and 109 cases of in situ breast cancer occurred after a median follow-up of 21.1 years. Breast cancer risk in IVF-treated women was not significantly different from that in the general population (SIR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.93-1.09]) and from the risk in the non-IVF group (HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.86-1.19]). The cumulative incidences of breast cancer at age 55 were 3.0% for the IVF group and 2.9% for the non-IVF group (P = .85). The SIR did not increase with longer time since treatment (≥20 years) in the IVF group (0.92 [95% CI, 0.73-1.15]) or in the non-IVF group (1.03 [95% CI, 0.82-1.29]). Risk was significantly lower for those who underwent 7 or more IVF cycles (HR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.39-0.77]) vs 1 to 2 IVF cycles and after poor response to the first IVF cycle (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.61-0.96] for <4 vs ≥4 collected oocytes). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among women undergoing fertility treatment in the Netherlands between 1980 and 1995, IVF treatment compared with non-IVF treatment was not associated with increased risk of breast cancer after a median follow-up of 21 years. Breast cancer risk among IVF-treated women was also not significantly different from that in the general population. These findings are consistent with absence of a significant increase in long-term risk of breast cancer among IVF-treated women.
IMPORTANCE: Previous studies of breast cancer risk after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment were inconclusive due to limited follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term risk of breast cancer after ovarian stimulation for IVF. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Historical cohort (OMEGA study) with complete follow-up through December 2013 for 96% of the cohort. The cohort included 19,158 women who started IVF treatment between 1983 and 1995 (IVF group) and 5950 women starting other fertility treatments between 1980 and 1995 (non-IVF group) from all 12 IVF clinics in the Netherlands. The median age at end of follow-up was 53.8 years for the IVF group and 55.3 years for the non-IVF group. EXPOSURES: Information on ovarian stimulation for IVF, other fertility treatments, and potential confounders was collected from medical records and through mailed questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Incidence of invasive and in situ breast cancers in women who underwent fertility treatments was obtained through linkage with the Netherlands Cancer Registry (1989-2013). Breast cancer risk in the IVF group was compared with risks in the general population (standardized incidence ratios [SIRs]) and the non-IVF group (hazard ratios [HRs]). RESULTS: Among 25,108 women (mean age at baseline, 32.8 years; mean number of IVF cycles, 3.6), 839 cases of invasive breast cancer and 109 cases of in situ breast cancer occurred after a median follow-up of 21.1 years. Breast cancer risk in IVF-treated women was not significantly different from that in the general population (SIR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.93-1.09]) and from the risk in the non-IVF group (HR, 1.01 [95% CI, 0.86-1.19]). The cumulative incidences of breast cancer at age 55 were 3.0% for the IVF group and 2.9% for the non-IVF group (P = .85). The SIR did not increase with longer time since treatment (≥20 years) in the IVF group (0.92 [95% CI, 0.73-1.15]) or in the non-IVF group (1.03 [95% CI, 0.82-1.29]). Risk was significantly lower for those who underwent 7 or more IVF cycles (HR, 0.55 [95% CI, 0.39-0.77]) vs 1 to 2 IVF cycles and after poor response to the first IVF cycle (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.61-0.96] for <4 vs ≥4 collected oocytes). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among women undergoing fertility treatment in the Netherlands between 1980 and 1995, IVF treatment compared with non-IVF treatment was not associated with increased risk of breast cancer after a median follow-up of 21 years. Breast cancer risk among IVF-treated women was also not significantly different from that in the general population. These findings are consistent with absence of a significant increase in long-term risk of breast cancer among IVF-treated women.
Authors: Mandy Spaan; Alexandra W van den Belt-Dusebout; Cornelis B Lambalk; Hester H van Boven; Roel Schats; Marian Kortman; Frank J M Broekmans; Joop S E Laven; Evert J P van Santbrink; Didi D M Braat; Lucette A J van der Westerlaken; Ben J Cohlen; Astrid E P Cantineau; Jesper M J Smeenk; Minouche M van Rumste; Mariëtte Goddijn; Ron J T van Golde; Paul A M Meeuwissen; Carl J C M Hamilton; Gabriële M Ouwens; Miranda A Gerritsma; Michael Schaapveld; Curt W Burger; Flora E van Leeuwen Journal: J Natl Cancer Inst Date: 2021-06-01 Impact factor: 13.506
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