Investigating the relationship between breast and gynecological cancers and infertility and its treatments: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective Due to the high prevalence of breast and gynecological cancers among women, it is crucial to identify the risk factors of these cancers. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between breast and gynecological cancers and infertility and its treatments in women suffering from these cancers. Methods This case–control study was conducted with the participation of 400 people (200 women with breast and gynecological cancers and 200 healthy women without a history of cancer) in hospitals and health centers in Tabriz, Iran, in 2022. Data were collected using a four-part researcher-made questionnaire including sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric characteristics, information related to cancer, and information related to infertility and its treatments. Result s Based on the multivariable logistic regression model and by controlling sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics as possible confounding variables, women with cancer had an infertility history almost four times more than women who did not have a history of cancer (OR = 3.56; 95% CI: 1.36–9.33; P = 0.010). Women with breast cancer had an infertility history five times more than women without a history of breast cancer (OR = 5.11; 95% CI: 1.68–15.50; P = 0.004). The infertility history of women with gynecological cancer was more than three times that of the control group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR = 3.36; 95% CI: 0.99–11.47; P = 0.053). Conclusion Infertility and its treatments may be involved in increasing the risk of breast and gynecological cancers.