The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has updated its cancer information delivery services. In the future, please use the Cancer.gov web site (Http: //cancer.gov/) to meet your cancer information needs. CancerMail users in the United States can obtain cancer information by telephone at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

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There are several theories about factors that may increase a woman's risk of ovarian cancer. Two theories in particular have prompted researchers to examine fertility drugs as a risk factor. One theory is that an increased number of uninterrupted ovulations in a woman's lifetime increases her chance of developing ovarian cancer. This theory may explain why events that interrupt the constant cycle of ovulations, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and oral contraceptive use, are associated with a decreased risk of ovarian cancer. Another theory is that increased levels of certain hormones associated with ovulation (such as human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG) increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Fertility drugs can increase both the number of ovulations and the levels of hormones associated with ovulation.

An evaluation of previous studies of women who had ovarian cancer found that infertile women who used fertility drugs but still never became pregnant had a significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer compared with women who had no history of infertility. Infertile women who used fertility drugs and became pregnant did not have a significantly increased risk for ovarian cancer. Another study found that use of the fertility drug clomiphene citrate for more than a year may increase the risk of developing ovarian tumors of low malignant potential. This type of tumor responds better to treatment than epithelial ovarian cancer, the most common type of ovarian cancer.

These studies and other recent research raise questions about whether infertile women who take fertility drugs and do not become pregnant, and women who take certain fertility drugs for extended periods of time, may be at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Howt been proven, and more research is needed. Research is also being conducted to explore the relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer.

Women who have taken fertility drugs and who are concerned about their risk of developing ovarian cancer should discuss their previous treatment with these drugs with a gynecologist. At this time, however, there are no screening tests that are consistently accurate enough to detect ovarian cancer at an early stage when there are no symptoms. Research to identify better methods of diagnosing ovarian cancer and to evaluate currently available tests is under way.

For information about fertility drugs, write to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, HFI-40, Rockville, MD 20857, call 1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332), or visit the FDA Web site at Http: //www.fda.gov/ on the Internet.

This fact sheet was reviewed on 2/1/00

You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The following National Cancer Institute (NCI) services are available to help you.

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Provides accurate, up-to-date information on cancer to patients and their families, health professionals, and the general public. Information specialists translate the latest scientific information into understandable language and respond in English, Spanish, or on TTY equipment.

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These web sites may be useful:

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Http: //cancertrials.nci.nih.gov - cancerTrials; NCI's comprehensive clinical trials information center for patients, health professionals, and the public. Includes information on understanding trials, deciding whether to participate in trials, finding specific trials, plus research news and other resources.

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Date Last Modified: 02/2000

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