Scientists from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) have found that women who have given birth to children with IVF often develop breast cancer, The Sun reported. 

Researchers analysed data on 625,712 Danish women, who were tracked for up to 21 years. Some women used assisted reproductive technology techniques, including IVF. It was found that in this group the probability of developing breast cancer increased by 10%.

“But the risk rose far higher in women who had their first child through IVF aged 40 or older. They were 65 per cent more likely to get the disease than those conceiving naturally at the same age,” the source noted.

According to experts, the reason for this may lie in the vulnerability of the body to the effects of hormonal treatment in more adulthood. The fact is that with IVF drugs are usually used to stimulate ovulation. As a result, the body increases the level of estrogen, which stimulates the growth of most types of cancers of the breast.

The results of the study were presented in Vienna, as part of the annual conference of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).