Breast Cancer Awareness: Preserving Fertility
Women with breast cancer have options for preserving their fertility.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check Yourself, Protect Yourself.
Breast cancer diagnosis can be a challenging time for women, especially when it comes to family planning. However, there are several fertility preservation options available. Here’s a look at four:
Embryo freezing involves harvesting eggs fertilized with sperm and freezing them for later use through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although this method has a high success rate, it requires time and may delay cancer treatment.
Egg freezing involves retrieving and freezing unfertilized eggs for future use, offering flexibility for single women or those without a partner.
Ovarian tissue freezing is an experimental technique that involves removing and freezing ovarian tissue containing immature eggs before cancer treatment. Although the success rates vary, this method can be a viable option for some women.
Hormone therapy suppresses ovarian function during chemotherapy to help protect fertility. However, its effectiveness is still debated.
It’s important to discuss your options with a reproductive specialist before initiating cancer treatment. Factors such as the stage of cancer, the treatment plan and your individual preferences should guide decision-making.