New research from scientists at Surgut State University (SurgSU) reveals promising approaches to reduce the likelihood of breast cancer development in women undergoing hormonal stimulation for infertility treatment. The findings of this work were published in the `Russian Journal of Obstetrician-Gynecologist`.
Infertility treatment methods, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), involve intensive hormonal ovarian stimulation to increase the number of eggs. According to SurgSU researchers, this procedure can place a significant burden on the body, potentially raising the risk of oncological diseases.
University specialists conducted extensive research aimed at identifying strategies to minimize these risks. After a thorough analysis of patient age, duration of infertility, presence of co-occurring gynecological conditions, and crucially, the initial state of the mammary gland, the scientists concluded that the primary condition of the breast is the key factor.
Professor Natalia Klimova from the Department of Hospital Surgery at SurgSU emphasized: “If a woman already has benign changes or high tissue density, as detected by mammography, then repeated hormonal stimulation significantly increases the risk of developing conditions.”
According to her data, the study results showed that the highest risk of breast cancer development within a ten-year period after such procedures is observed in women with benign dysplastic changes and fibroadenomas. The probability of oncology under these conditions was 13.4% and 16.7% respectively, whereas in patients without such pathologies, the risk was significantly lower – only 0.3%.
Consequently, university specialists insist on the necessity of mandatory mammological screening both during preparation for infertility treatment and throughout the entire course. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of identified pathologies will significantly reduce the likelihood of tumor development.
Unlike most current models for assessing breast cancer risk, which are based on age, genetic predisposition, and biopsy results, the SurgSU study enriches this data with information on the impact of repeated hormonal stimulations and the initial condition of the mammary gland, as detected by mammography and ultrasound.
In the future, researchers plan to develop a personalized calculator for assessing breast cancer risk. According to them, such a tool will significantly enhance the safety of infertility treatment procedures through timely diagnosis and enable the formulation of individualized preventive strategies for each woman.
This study was conducted based on the analysis of medical data from 4500 patients. Currently, the team of scientists intends to expand the observation group and continue monitoring to further refine the prognostic model. Additionally, detailed recommendations and algorithms for mammological examinations are planned, which will contribute to more informed decision-making by both doctors and patients.
The work was carried out within the framework of SurgSU`s strategic technological project titled `Biomedical Solutions for Personalized Medicine,` which is part of the federal program `Priority-2030` and the national project `Youth and Children.`
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth