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Other Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How can cancer affect my fertility?

Q. If I have been diagnosed with cancer, how soon will I have to undergo fertility preservation?

Q. How long can eggs, embryos and ovarian tissue be frozen?

Q. If I freeze eggs, embryos or ovarian tissue prior to cancer treatments, and don’t use them, or I have some left over after completing my family, what do I do with them?

Q. What are some other fertility preservation options for individuals who are unmarried or without a partner?

Q. What can my oncologist do to protect my fertility during treatment?

Q. Can hormone injections for emergency in vitro fertilization make breast cancer worse?

Q. Will my fertility ever return? If so, how long does it take to regain fertility?

Q. After cancer, how long should I wait to try to conceive?

Q. What can my oncologist do to protect my fertility during treatment?

Q. How can cancer affect my fertility?

A. A woman is born with all of her eggs; she cannot produce more. Over time and with each menstruation, the supply of eggs decreases until the ovarian reserve is empty and results in menopause.

Cancer itself can reduce fertility. However, this is only true for cancers that affect the reproductive organs, such as cancer of the uterus. Other cancers may not directly cause infertility. In most cases, infertility is actually caused by the treatment for the cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation, rather than the cancer itself.

Chemotherapy is designed to kill rapidly dividing cells throughout the body. Cancer cells divide rapidly, but so do the cells surrounding the ripening eggs in women’s ovaries. Thus, infertility is a potential side effect of chemotherapy. Likewise, radiation therapy also kills rapidly dividing cells, but only in or around its target area. If the radiation field includes the brain, it may affect fertility by damaging areas that control hormone production. Radiation therapy aimed close to or at the pelvic area can also cause infertility by directly damaging the ovaries. Surgery to remove part or all of the reproductive system can lead to infertility as well.

Female fertility can be affected in two ways. First, you may not regain your menstrual cycle after cancer treatment. If your period is going to return, it usually takes six months to one year. Secondly and more commonly, even if you regain your menstrual cycle, you may be at risk for premature ovarian insufficiency. Premature ovarian insufficiency means that your body enters menopause prematurely. (The average age of menopause is around 51).2

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Q. Q6?

Questions? Contact the Medical Services Name Here at 714.456.ABCD (714.456.1234)

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