Fertility Preservation for Women Before Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgeries could lead to ovarian damage and a reduction in egg quality and quantity. This impacts women’s ability to conceive. Women can preserve fertility through the options listed below, before starting cancer treatment. These options counter the potential effects of chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery on reproductive health.

1. Egg Freezing

   • Egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves retrieving and freezing a woman’s unfertilized eggs for later use.

   • It preserves genetic material in women and the possibility of conceiving in the future through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

2. Embryo Freezing

   • Embryo freezing is a process where the retrieved eggs are fertilised to develop into embryos before freezing.

   • The sperm is obtained from the woman’s partner or via a donor.

   • Research indicates that embryos can survive the freezing process up to 90% of the time.

3. Removal of Cervix (Trachelectomy):

   • Trachelectomy is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the cervix. It is an option to treat early-stage cervical cancer.

   • This surgery leaves the uterus intact, allowing women to conceive in the future, either naturally or through ART.

Fertility Preservation for Men Before Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can significantly impact male fertility. Fertility preservation is crucial for men undergoing cancer treatment, as it helps them maintain their reproductive potential. By choosing sperm preservation or protecting their testicles, men can ensure future family options.

1. Sperm Preservation

   • Sperm preservation, or sperm banking, is a process where a semen sample is collected, processed, and frozen for future use.

   • The frozen sperm can be used to start a family either through ART like IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) or naturally.

   • The success rates of using frozen sperm for assisted reproduction are comparable to using fresh sperm.

   • This simple and non-invasive procedure offers a reliable option for men to preserve their fertility before undergoing cancer treatment.

2. Shielding Testicles

   • While undergoing radiation therapy, it is important to protect the testicles from radiation exposure.

   • Radiation can impair the delicate testicle tissues, thereby affecting sperm production and fertility.

   • To reduce the risk, small lead shields (gonadal shields) are placed over the testicles during the treatment.

   • These shields help block the amount of radiation reaching the testicles, thereby reducing potential damage.