FERTILITY PRESERVATION AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

7 December 20243′ read5 sections

CONTENTS

Introduction
How Breast Cancer Affects Fertility
Fertility Preservation Options for Patients with Breast Cancer
When to Consider Freezing
Conclusion

Introduction

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in women, and the treatments used (such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy) can affect fertility. Preserving fertility before treatment begins gives patients the possibility of having children in the future, should they wish to.

How Breast Cancer Affects Fertility

Treatments for breast cancer, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, can damage the eggs and thereby affect the patient's fertility. This depends on factors such as age, the type and dose of treatment and the stage of the disease. In some cases menstruation may return after treatment, but the risk of premature ovarian insufficiency remains high.

Fertility Preservation Options for Patients with Breast Cancer

There are several fertility preservation options that can be considered before treatment begins:

Egg Freezing

- Egg freezing is a safe and effective method of preserving fertility. The procedure involves collecting eggs through hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval, and then freezing them for future use. This method is ideal for patients who do not have a partner and wish to preserve their eggs for future in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Embryo Freezing

- If the patient has a partner and wishes to preserve her fertility, she may consider embryo freezing. The eggs are collected, fertilised and then frozen as embryos for future use through IVF.

Ovarian Tissue Freezing

- Ovarian tissue freezing is an alternative for women who need to start treatment immediately. In this method, a section of ovarian tissue is removed and frozen, and can be reimplanted in the woman after treatment. This method is still at an experimental stage, but it has produced promising results.

Ovarian Suppression with Hormones

- Some hormonal treatments can protect the ovaries during chemotherapy, reducing the risk of damage. GnRH agonists, for example, can "suppress" the ovaries during treatment, reducing the risk of premature ovarian insufficiency.

When to Consider Freezing

The decision to preserve fertility is an important and personal choice. Early consultation with a fertility specialist and an oncologist can help the patient understand her options and the risks that may come with treatment. It is important to assess the fertility preservation options before treatment begins, to ensure the greatest possible chance of success.

Conclusion

Fertility preservation is an important concern for many women with breast cancer. The available methods, such as egg and embryo freezing, give the patient the opportunity to keep the option of motherhood open for the future. With the right information and support from specialists, patients can make an informed decision that suits their own needs and wishes.

TAGSfertilitycryopreservation

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

All articles

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

Introduction

How Breast Cancer Affects Fertility

Fertility Preservation Options for Patients with Breast Cancer

When to Consider Freezing

Conclusion

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?