Fertile Hope

Cancer Patients and Fertility

By Teri Brown

As for the future, Nohr hopes that Fertile Hope continues to grow and offer even more resources to those patients in need. "Fertile Hope has made tremendous headway in a short period of time, and I hope that with the strong infrastructure and strategic plan we are operating from, the future will follow a similar trajectory," she says. "The need is profound and our programs and services are welcomed."

If you are facing cancer treatments, Fertile Hope offers this list of sample questions to ask your medical team. These questions and their answers will help you understand how your cancer treatment can affect your fertility and what options you have:

• Will my treatments have any short or long-term side effects on my reproductive system? If so, what are they? If so, what is the likelihood?
• Is infertility (men and women) and/or premature ovarian failure (women only) a possible side effect of my treatments?
• Are there any alternative ways to treat my condition without damaging my reproductive system?
• What are my options for preserving fertility prior to treatment?
• Is there anything I can do during treatment to protect my reproductive system?
• Are there any fertility preservation treatments and/or drugs that might interfere with my treatment regime (e.g. negative drug combinations)?
• If I do not preserve my fertility and become infertile or experience premature ovarian failure, what will be my reproductive options?
• Can you refer me to a fertility preservation specialist for further information and/or consultation?
• Upon completion of my treatments, how will I know if my reproductive system was affected and/or damaged?

Want to see more?

• Frozen in Time: You Can Preserve and Prolong Fertility
• From Tragedy to Triumph: Fighting for Fertility During Serious Health Issues
• Tips to Safeguard Your Fertility
• Talk about it!