Do you think fertility drug increase breast cancer rate ?
Most people think fertility drugs can cause breast cancer and ovarian cancer, do you ?
There’s been concern about an increased risk for ovarian and breast cancers in women taking fertility drugs, particularly clomiphene and human menopausal gonadotropins. In general, a strong body of evidence is finding no higher risk for either breast or ovarian cancer from the drugs themselves. Instead, such studies are suggesting that these cancers are caused by the same factors that contribute to the infertility itself.
One exception, according to a 2003 study, may be a higher risk for breast cancer in women who took hMG for six or more months or cycles. The number of subjects was small, however, and more research is needed to confirm this finding.
Here’re 2 agents which are under investigation
Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is a drug known as a selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERM). It is used to prevent breast cancer in high-risk women. Studies are also now suggesting that it may equal clomiphene in its ability to induce ovulation. It may be especially useful when used along with IVF for preserving fertility in breast cancer patients. This drug is less expensive than clomiphene and but poses some health hazards, including a risk for blood clots and uterine cancer.
Aromatase Inhibitors.Aromatase inhibitors block aromatase, an enzyme that is a major source of estrogen in many major body tissues. These agents include anastrozole (Arimidex) and letrozole. (Femara). Like tamoxifen, they are used for treating breast cancer and are being investigated for infertility in women. They do not appear to have the severe side effects of tamoxifen, however.
