Fertility preservation after your cancer diagnosis
We can begin fertility treatment quickly and will compassionately guide you through the process.
We’re here to support you
When faced with a cancer diagnosis, fertility preservation may not be your top priority. Thankfully, with cancer treatment, most people recover and resume their normal life. If you want to have children in the future, fertility preservation before treatment is essential. The first step is to learn your options.
For women of reproductive age, fertility preservation in our state-of-the-art clinic includes egg freezing and embryo freezing. For men, we perform sperm freezing, or if needed, we can provide sperm aspiration or extraction.
We are committed to close coordination with your oncologist and will ensure you have access to resources, including financial assistance and psychological support. We can move quickly to start your fertility treatment right away.
Cancer and Fertility FAQ
Please make an appointment with us as soon as possible. A fertility specialist can help you understand your options and start fertility treatment immediately. Your age at diagnosis and the stage and type of cancer determine the type of treatment you need.
We will work with your medical oncology team to determine the best fertility preservation method and craft an individualized treatment plan with the best chance of success. Close coordination between your oncologist and your fertility specialist is the key to undergoing timely family-building treatments.
We can schedule within 48 hours. We partner with Livestrong. If you meet certain criteria, they provide free fertility medications to cancer patients.
- Egg freezing: involves 10-15 days of ovarian stimulation with hormone injections, egg retrieval procedure, and freezing of the eggs.
- Embryo freezing: involves 10-15 days of ovarian stimulation with hormone injections, egg retrieval procedure, fertilization with partner or donor sperm, and freezing of embryos.
- Ovarian suppression during chemotherapy treatment with medications such as Leuprolide acetate.
- Ovarian shielding during radiation treatment.
- Ovarian transposition, which involves surgical repositioning of the ovaries out of the radiation field.
- Radical trachelectomy is surgical removal of the cervix with preservation of the uterus.
- Ovarian tissue banking (experimental).
- Sperm freezing: a semen specimen is collected, analyzed, and frozen for future use.
- Sperm extraction and aspiration procedures: sperm is surgically extracted or aspirated from the testicle and frozen for future use.
- Testicular shielding: shields are placed over one or both testicles during radiation therapy.
- Testicular tissue freezing (experimental).
- For women, specific cancer treatments can cause temporary or permanent ovarian damage or failure, early menopause, and other reproductive problems.
- For men, treatments can cause damage to the testes and interfere with sperm production.
No. Currently, there is no evidence that sperm, egg, or embryo freezing compromises the success of cancer treatments or the risk of cancer recurrence. We can move quickly to start fertility treatment at any point in your cycle and complete treatment within 2-3 weeks so your cancer treatment is not delayed.
Children born to cancer survivors are not at higher risk for birth defects or cancer. If you received radiation in your pelvic area or cancer treatment that affects your heart or lungs, speak with a specialist before attempting to conceive.
Your gametes can remain frozen for many years and remain viable. There is no expiration date.
In addition to assigning you a compassionate and knowledgeable nurse to guide you through your fertility treatment process, we can refer you to reproductive psychologists who will provide you with personalized emotional support. We can also provide genetic screening and refer you to a genetic counselor.
We offer a discount to patients undergoing fertility treatments as a result of a cancer diagnosis. We also partner with the Livestrong Foundation to provide free fertility medications. Men and women are eligible if they meet certain treatment and financial criteria. For more information, email us.