If you’ve received the shock diagnosis that you have cancer and would like to be a mother one day, don’t give up hope. Science now has numerous options to help preserve your fertility with paths such as IVF, donor eggs or sperm, and surrogacy.
Understanding the Impact of Cancer Treatment on Fertility
Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can be lifesaving, but they also come with significant side effects, one of which is their impact on fertility.
The treatments have the potential to harm reproductive organs, which could impact a person’s future fertility. Factors such as the type of cancer, the specific treatment methods used, and the patient’s age at the time of treatment play crucial roles in determining the extent of fertility damage.
For instance, chemotherapy targets and destroys rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also the cells in the ovaries and testicles responsible for producing eggs and sperm. This can lead to temporary or permanent infertility, depending on various factors. Radiation therapy, especially when administered to the pelvic area, can similarly affect fertility by damaging the reproductive organs.
Temporary vs Permanent Infertility
When it comes to cancer treatments, the outcomes can vary widely. Chemotherapy, can lead to either temporary or permanent infertility depending on the specific drugs used and the patient’s age. Some patients might regain their fertility after a period of time, while others may experience permanent infertility.
Gaining a thorough understanding of these possibilities and engaging in a discussion with a fertility specialist at a fertility clinic is of utmost importance.
Early Menopause and Ovarian Reserve
Radiation therapy, particularly when targeted at the pelvic area, can lead to early menopause and a significant reduction in ovarian reserve, resulting in ovarian suppression.
In certain scenarios, patients might contemplate surgical procedures such as ovarian transposition, which involves repositioning the ovaries away from the radiation zone to curtail damage. Nevertheless, the success rates associated with these procedures are not consistent. A consultation with a fertility specialist can aid in evaluating these options and formulating a fertility preservation strategy.
Egg freezing involves harvesting and freezing unfertilized eggs for future use, making it a viable option for women who do not currently have a partner or prefer not to use donor sperm. Embryo cryopreservation, on the other hand, involves fertilizing mature eggs with sperm and then freezing the resulting embryos. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an experimental procedure wherein ovarian tissue is removed, frozen, and later reimplanted to restore fertility.
Egg Freezing
Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where mature eggs are harvested and frozen for future use. This method is particularly beneficial for women who do not have a partner or prefer not to use donor sperm. The process begins with ovarian stimulation, where hormone medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
These frozen eggs can be stored for as long as needed, providing flexibility for future family planning. A consultation with a fertility specialist can assist in determining whether egg freezing is the suitable choice and facilitate a discussion about the probable success rates and associated costs.
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an experimental procedure that involves surgically removing ovarian tissue, freezing it, and reimplanting it later to restore fertility. This method is particularly useful for young women and girls who cannot undergo other fertility preservation procedures.
The procedure includes the removal of all or part of one ovary, followed by freezing and storage of the tissue. The potential benefit of this method is the restoration of fertility after cancer treatment, making it a promising option for the future. However, discussing the experimental nature and potential hazards with a fertility specialist is paramount.
Fertility Preservation Options for Men
Men about to undergo cancer treatment also have various alternatives for safeguarding their fertility, including sperm banking and testicular tissue freezing. A dialogue with a fertility specialist prior to beginning treatment is critical to secure the most favourable outcomes.
Sperm banking is the most common and straightforward method, involving the collection and freezing of sperm for future use. Testicular tissue freezing is an experimental method used primarily for prepubescent boys or men unable to produce sperm. Understanding these options and their processes can help men make informed decisions about preserving their fertility.
Testicular Tissue Freezing
Testicular tissue freezing is an experimental method designed to help boys who have not yet reached puberty preserve their fertility. The procedure involves making a small incision to remove testicular tissue that contains cells capable of making sperm, which is then frozen and stored.
This method offers hope for young boys and men who cannot produce sperm but wish to preserve their fertility for the future. A discussion about the experimental nature and potential benefits with a fertility specialist is key to comprehend its feasibility and future application.
Balancing Cancer Treatment and Fertility Preservation
Balancing the urgency of cancer treatment with the need for fertility preservation can be challenging. In some cases, patients may need to delay cancer treatment to pursue fertility preservation, which can be a difficult decision. The potential delay in treatment could compromise the success of cancer treatment, making it essential to weigh the benefits and risks carefully.
Donor Eggs and Sperm
Using donor eggs and sperm in in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures is a viable option for those unable to conceive using their own reproductive cells. Donor eggs can be collected from a known or anonymous donor and transferred to the recipient for embryo placement. Success rates for using donor eggs can vary, with frozen eggs having around a 35% success rate and fresh eggs about 55%.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy provides alternative paths to parenthood for those who cannot carry a pregnancy due to cancer treatment or its after-effects. In gestational surrogacy, another woman carries the pregnancy using an embryo created from the intended parents’ or donors’ eggs and sperm. This option, while often expensive allows parents to have a child genetically related to them.
Coping with Infertility After Cancer
Facing infertility after cancer treatment can be an emotionally challenging experience. Many individuals feel a profound sense of loss, not only for their ability to have biological children but also for the future family they had envisioned.
Therapists with expertise in fertility issues can provide a safe haven for expressing and working through these emotions. Support groups also offer a sense of community and understanding, connecting individuals with others who have faced similar struggles.
There are many support groups and Instagram accounts dedicated to helping men and women who have cancer and want to preserve their fertility. These resources provide emotional support, practical advice, and a sense of community.
Useful Support Groups
Fertile Hope: A program of LIVESTRONG that provides reproductive information, support, and hope to cancer patients and survivors whose medical treatments present the risk of infertility.
Resolve: The National Infertility Association: Offers support groups, resources, and information for people dealing with infertility, including those with cancer.
Stupid Cancer: A community for young adults affected by cancer, offering support and resources, including fertility preservation information.
Social Media
We recommend the following Instagram Accounts:
@ihadcancer: A community that shares stories, resources, and support for all aspects of cancer, including fertility preservation and @cancercare: which offers information and support for cancer patients, including those interested in fertility preservation.
