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Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

FERTILITY PRESERVATION AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

FERTILITY PRESERVATION AND BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Import

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, and the treatments used (such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy) can affect fertility. Being able to preserve fertility before starting treatment offers patients the ability to have children in the future if they so desire.

How Breast Cancer Affects Fertility

Breast cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, can damage the eggs, thus affecting 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 failure remains high.

Fertility Preservation Options for Patients with Breast Cancer

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

  1. Cryopreservation of Eggs

   – Egg cryopreservation is a safe and effective method of fertility preservation. The procedure involves collecting eggs through hormonal stimulation and ovulation, then freezing them for later use. This method is ideal for patients who do not have a partner and want to preserve their eggs for future in vitro fertilization (IVF).

  1. Cryopreservation of Embryos

   – If the patient has a partner and wishes to preserve her fertility, she can consider embryo cryopreservation. Eggs are collected, fertilized and then frozen as embryos for later use through IVF.

  1. Cryopreservation of Ovarian Tissue

   – Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an alternative solution for women who need to start treatment immediately. In this method, a section of ovarian tissue is removed, which is frozen and can be placed back into the woman after treatment. This method is still in an experimental stage, but it has given promising results.

  1. Suppression of the Ovaries with Hormones

   – Certain hormone 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 failure.

When to Consider Cryopreservation

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 accompany treatment. It is important to evaluate fertility preservation options before starting treatment to ensure maximum success.

Conclusion

Fertility preservation is an important concern for many women with breast cancer. Available methods, such as egg and embryo cryopreservation, offer the possibility for the patient to retain the option of motherhood for the future. With the right information and support from experts, patients can make an informed decision that suits their own needs and wishes.

Center for Reproductive and Fetal Medicine

Effective doctor-patient communication is vital to providing high-quality health care. Any communication regarding your medical profile (getting results, instructions, answering questions, concerns) will be done directly with the doctor. This means no midwife or secretary will interrupt your conversations. Instead, if you call with any concerns, they will be there right away to address your needs. Contact us by calling 694 649 8771 or by completing the relevant Contact Form.

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

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FREQUENT QUESTIONS

The association of IVF drugs with cancer risk is a major concern for women enrolled in these programs. But the plethora of bibliographic reports collected from credible scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

Of course not. In about a third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in a third of cases, it is due to the man (male factor). The remaining one-third is due to both (both men and women) or even to unknown factors.

The quantity and quality of a man's sperm can be affected by his health and lifestyle. Some factors that can reduce the quantity and / or quality of sperm are:

  • the alcohol
  • drugs
  • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead
  • smoking
  • health problems
  • medicines
  • radiotherapy and chemotherapy
  • the age

Success rates vary at each IVF Center. Very important factors are also the age of the woman, the levels of her hormones and of course the sperm of the husband. Rates generally range from 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years old.

Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive after one year (or 6 months, if it is a woman over 35) with normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year passes without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their doctor to determine the cause of the pregnancy and then treat it. We must all, however, be aware and not forget that the age factor is the most critical for female fertility and that the individualized approach of each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

The number of treatment cycles a woman can undergo is not specified. It is certain that in our country there are high level obstetricians-gynecologists and organized infertility treatment centers, which offer impeccable medical services at this level. If there are correct indications (eg ovaries that respond to stimulation therapy, good quality endometrium, etc.) the success rate -especially with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological drugs, which show increased bioactivity compared to conventional drugs from urine- totals approximately 65%-70% after 4 cycles of treatment.

At the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Dr. Traianos we offer egg / sperm cryopreservation services for those who have a personal or medical reason and need this service. We use the most modern vitrification technique in the freezing of sperm and eggs.

The collection of eggs takes 10-15 minutes, it is not painful, it is done under intoxication and after the end of the process you return to your activities.

In general, experts agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child can be considered proof that there is no infertility problem in the first place. It is like a small test that has been done and proves that they "made it" at least once. On the other hand, however, we must be aware that things may have changed in the meantime and a problem may have arisen (e.g. the man may have suffered some inflammation, which affects the quality of his sperm or something has intervened that affects female fertility: an inflammation, a gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.).

In any case, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve pregnancy, then they should, with the help of their doctor, investigate whether there has been a problem causing infertility.