Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-altering event. One of the first questions people diagnosed with cancer may ask is, “Will I live?” For many people, the answer to that question is “yes,” thanks to advances in the detection and treatment of several cancers. But undergoing treatment can bring with it a whole host of new questions, including, for many people, “Will I still be able to have children?”
Here is a look at how a cancer diagnosis may affect a woman’s fertility and what women with cancer can do if they want to have children.
There are a variety of ways in which cancer treatment can affect fertility:
According to Fertile Hope, a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to be a comprehensive fertility preservation resource for patients whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility,” there are some procedures being studied for their ability to preserve fertility in women with cancer. Some are still experimental and their feasibility and appropriateness will vary from patient to patient. Talk to your doctor to see if any of these procedures may be an option for you.
When facing cancer—or any serious illness for that matter, it is important to remember that each person’s situation is unique. Not all options for preserving fertility may be appropriate or feasible in all women.
If you have been diagnosed with cancer and you are concerned about your fertility, talk to your doctor and discuss in detail all the potential risks and benefits of certain treatments, including, but not limited to, the treatment’s potential effects on your fertility. Your doctor may be able to offer you ways of possibly preserving your fertility during your treatment. You may also want to ask for a referral to a social worker or other family planning specialist who can help you learn about other parenthood options as well, such as adoption.
Fortunately, many cancer caregivers recognize that successfully treating cancer means not only longer life, but quality of life as well. And for many cancer patients, the potential for parenthood is vital to their quality of life.
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.ca/
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/index.cfm/
References:
Female reproductive options. Fertile Hope website. Available at: http://www.fertilehope.org/healthcare-professionals/clinical-tools/female_options_v3.pdf. Updated 2007. Accessed November 9, 2010.
Makar AP, Trope C. Fertility preservation in gynecologic cancer. Acta Obstet Gynaecol Scandinavia. 2001;80:794-802.
Plante M. Fertility preservation in the management of gynecologic cancers. Curr Opin Oncol. 2002;12:497-507.
Shahin MS, Puscheck E. Reproductive sequelae of cancer treatment. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 1998;25:423-433.
Last reviewed November 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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