Breast cancer is a serious concern, and for women diagnosed during their childbearing years, there can be additional fears about how the disease and its treatment will affect their ability to have children. As more American women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their reproductive years, many are left wondering how treatments might impact their fertility .
While there is no universal answer, several factors influence fertility after breast cancer treatment. To better understand this, experts have weighed in on key questions, such as the risks posed by treatments, fertility preservation options, and how cancer might affect future pregnancies. Each year, over 11,000 women under the age of 40 in the U.S are diagnosed with breast cancer. The impact of treatment on fertility depends on several factors, including the type of treatment, the stage of cancer at diagnosis, and the woman’s age.
Type of Treatment
Not every treatment for breast cancer affects fertility. For example, if woman, only requires surgery and radiation without chemotherapy, her fertility may remain unaffected. According to Dr. Robert L. Barbieri, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Brigham and women’s Hospital in Boston, these treatments typically do not harm fertility. However, chemotherapy presents different risks.
chemotherapy a common treatment for breast cancer can lead to premature ovarian failure or early menopause. Dr. Kutluk Oktay, an expert in reproductive medicine at cornell’s center for reproductive medicine and infertility, explains that nearly 80% of women treated with cyclophosphamide a widely used chemotherapy drug for breast cancer may experience ovarian failure. Fertile Hope an organization focused on fertility education estimates the risk to be between 40% and 80%
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