Patient Resources/Fertility Blog

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, support those in treatment, and raise awareness about the importance of early detection and care. It’s also an important time to talk about fertility preservation as it’s often overlooked as an aspect of cancer treatment.

At Reach, we understand that a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. For many women of reproductive age, one of the first questions after diagnosis is: “Will I still be able to have children after treatment?”

Cancer treatment can absolutely impact your fertility due to chemotherapy, radiation and in some cases, surgeries. For many women, eggs or ovarian tissue may be damaged by treatment and in many cases, hormone production and menstrual cycles are also affected.

While these treatments are lifesaving, they can also reduce or eliminate future fertility. That’s why having a conversation about fertility preservation before cancer treatment begins is so critical.

Fertility Preservation Options

Thanks to advances in reproductive medicine, there are several ways to protect your fertility before undergoing cancer treatment:

1. Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation): Egg freezing allows patients to preserve their eggs before starting chemotherapy or radiation. The eggs are collected through a short IVF cycle, then frozen for future use. This is one of the most common and effective preservation methods for women with breast cancer.
2. Embryo Freezing: If you have a partner or wish to use donor sperm, embryos can be created and frozen for future use with your eggs retrieved after a short treatment cycle. This option offers high success rates and can provide peace of mind during treatment.
3. Ovarian Tissue Freezing: For patients who cannot delay treatment long enough for egg or embryo freezing, ovarian tissue freezing may be an option. A small piece of ovarian tissue is removed and frozen, with the potential to be re-implanted later to restore fertility.
4. Ovarian Suppression: In some cases, medications called GnRH agonists are used to temporarily suppress ovarian function during chemotherapy, which may help protect eggs from damage. This option can sometimes be combined with other preservation methods.

Timing Is Critical and Early Referral Matters

The best time to explore fertility preservation is before starting cancer treatment. At Reach, we work closely with oncologists to ensure patients are seen within 24 to 48 hours because every day matters when treatment needs to begin.

Supporting You Every Step of the Way

We know that navigating both a cancer diagnosis and fertility decisions can be emotionally and physically taxing. Our compassionate team provides:

• Personalized treatment plans tailored to your diagnosis and timeline
• Coordination with your oncology team
  
  
• Financial counseling and guidance on fertility preservation grants and programs for cancer patients
  
  

You Have Options and Hope

Fertility preservation gives patients the power to make choices about their future, even in the face of a cancer diagnosis. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Reach wants every woman to know that you are not alone and that there are ways to safeguard your dream of becoming a parent.

With over 35 years of experience and consistently outstanding success rates reported to SART, Reach is a trusted leader in reproductive care in Charlotte and the surrounding region. Our specialists are dedicated to helping patients preserve fertility and grow their families with compassion, innovation, and hope.