Fertility preservation is a key component of cancer management in young patients. Cancer treatment often results in reduced fertility. Cancer patients should be informed of options for fertility preservation and future reproduction prior to cancer treatment. Reproduction in the context of cancer raises a number of ethical issues related to both patient and offspring welfare. Evidence suggests that cancer treatment often commences without adequate consideration of fertility preservation and that current services could be much improved.
Early referral of patients to a fertility specialist will allow consideration and discussion of the full range of fertility preservation options. It’s a multidisciplinary approach which involves specialists in oncology, assisted reproduction, embryology and clinical genetics. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer often pose a threat to fertility. Methods…
