Is infertility in women a sign of increased cancer risk?

In a new groundbreaking study, a first of its kind, researchers have discovered that women who have difficulty conceiving have a 10 per cent higher chance of dying prematurely than those able to conceive, and are 45 per cent more likely to die from breast cancer.

The study followed more than 78,000 women for 13 years, 14 per cent of whom reported infertility, an inability to conceive for one year or more.

Researchers uncovered that infertile women have an increased risk of dying from endocrine related diseases such as diabetes and breast cancer.

The study is the first to indicate that failure to have a baby could be a sign of fundamental ill health in women; a link between disease and male infertility as been seen in other studies.

Researchers believe there is a protective effect of women’s health when they have a baby at some point in their life. In the meantime, those who have difficulty conceive ought to consider additional screening for certain cancers.

Our acupuncture and TCM treatments help resolve infertility including PCOS, promote ovulation and increase live birthrates* Book Your Appointment Today

*Franconi G, Manni L, Aloe L, Mazzilli F, Giambalvo Dal Ben G, Lenzi A, Fabbri A, Acupuncture in clinical and experimental reproductive medicine: a review., J Endocrinol Invest. 2011 Apr;34(4):307-11. doi: 10.3275/7500. Epub 2011 Feb 4., PMID: 21297382, Endocrinology Unit, S. Eugenio and CTO Hospitals, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.

& Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao, Integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine should make new contribution to the reproductive health of women, 2004 Mar;2(2):83-5, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China.