Breast cancer and fertility preservation

Many women affected with breast cancer are in their reproductive prime and at the time of their initial diagnosis have not yet started or completed their families. Improvements in outcomes for patients with breast cancer means longer survival times and oftentimes cures. Unfortunately, many of the treatments, while life-saving, are toxic to the finite supply of oocytes and diminish a woman's chance of future childbearing. After the initial shock of the cancer diagnosis has worn off, women are coming to the realization that their diagnosis is not a death sentence. Women that have not completed their families need to be informed about available options to protect their reproductive organs from the cancer treatments. The currently available options for fertility preservation should be discussed with every patient who is in their reproductive years prior to initiating any treatments. Fertility specialists should work closely with oncologists to counsel patients about the risks, if any, of the recommended treatment on their future fertility and discuss options to preserve potential fertility before starting treatments.