Cancer Fertility Preservation for Men and Women

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What is Fertility Preservation?

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and certain surgeries can affect fertility in both men and women. Fertility preservation refers to methods used to protect and store reproductive cells or tissues before cancer treatment begins, helping individuals retain the possibility of having biological children in the future.

With advances in reproductive medicine, fertility preservation has become an important part of cancer care and survivorship planning.

Why is Fertility Preservation Important?

Certain cancer treatments may :

Reduce egg or sperm quality
Damage ovaries or testes
Cause early menopause
Affect hormonal function and reproductive health

Discussing fertility options before starting cancer treatment allows patients to make informed decisions about their future family goals.

Fertility Preservation Options for Women

1. Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)

Mature eggs are collected, frozen, and stored for future use. This is one of the most commonly recommended fertility preservation methods for women.

2. Embryo Freezing

Eggs are fertilized with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos, which are then frozen for future pregnancy attempts through IVF.

3. Ovarian Tissue Freezing

A small portion of ovarian tissue is surgically removed and frozen before cancer treatment. This may be considered in selected cases, especially when urgent cancer treatment is required.

4. Ovarian Protection Techniques

Certain medications or surgical procedures may help reduce the impact of cancer treatment on ovarian function in selected patients.

Fertility Preservation Options for Men

1. Sperm Freezing (Semen Cryopreservation)

Sperm samples are collected, frozen, and stored for future use in fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF, or ICSI.

2. Surgical Sperm Retrieval

For men unable to provide a semen sample naturally, sperm may be retrieved through minor surgical procedures and preserved.

3. Testicular Tissue Preservation

In selected situations, testicular tissue freezing may be considered, particularly in younger patients before puberty.

When Should Fertility Preservation Be Done?

Fertility preservation should ideally be planned :

Before starting chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Before surgeries involving reproductive organs
As early as possible after cancer diagnosis

Early referral to a fertility specialist helps provide more treatment options and improves the chances of future reproductive success.

Safety and Coordination of Care

Fertility preservation procedures are carefully coordinated with the oncology team to avoid unnecessary delay in cancer treatment. Most procedures can be completed within a short time frame while maintaining patient safety and treatment priorities.

The approach depends on :

Type of cancer
Age and marital status
Urgency of cancer treatment
Overall reproductive health

Hope Beyond Cancer

Cancer treatment and future parenthood can go hand in hand with timely planning and expert guidance. Fertility preservation offers hope, reassurance, and reproductive choice to cancer survivors planning for life after treatment.

A multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists, fertility specialists, and counsellors helps ensure comprehensive and compassionate care throughout the journey.

We are here to help you, at every step of the way

This can seem very confusing and difficult, but remember, you can come and talk to us anytime. At JFMCH, our priority is to make you feel heard and to provide you with the best treatment options. Remember, once a queen, always a queen.