Fertility and Cancer: What Are My Options?

Although not everyone ends up having children, most people want at least to have the option. Cancer – and treatment for cancer – can sometimes take that option away, or can raise doubts about whether having children is even the right thing to do.

The effect of treatment on fertility depends on the type of cancer treatment you get. Effects also depend on many other physical factors, like your type of cancer, where it is, your age, gender, and your response to treatment.

If you can, talk with your doctor, nurse, or another member of your health care team before treatment to learn about all of your choices. There might be ways to save or protect your fertility before and maybe even during treatment. But after treatment, your options are often more limited.

If you are facing cancer, the good news is that in most cases you can become a parent if you wish. It might not happen the way you had expected before you had cancer, but if you can be flexible, you will find there are options to help.