World Cancer Day and oncofertility go hand-in-hand at our clinic
World Cancer Day and oncofertility are important topics at our Tennessee fertility center, as we help cancer patients preserve their fertility. The doctors at our clinic are well-versed in oncofertility, which is an interdisciplinary medical field connecting reproductive medicine and oncology. When a cancer patient dreams of having children in the future, they can work with a fertility specialist at our clinic, who can increase the chance of the patient fulfilling this dream.
World Cancer Day and oncofertility can be important for female cancer patients
Cancer treatments such as radiation, chemotherapy or surgery can impact a woman’s reproductive health. Because of this, fertility specialists at our clinic often recommend women consider fertility preservation options before beginning treatment.
Freezing eggs. Egg freezing is a great option for female cancer patients who have yet to find the ideal partner to start a family. This process involves the woman taking medications that cause multiple eggs to grow. A doctor then collects the eggs during a short procedure and sends them to the IVF lab, where an embryologist flash-freezes them through vitrification and places them in a secure storage facility.
When the woman is ready to use her eggs, an embryologist thaws them, then fertilizes the eggs with sperm from the woman’s partner or a sperm donor. The doctor then transfers one of the resulting embryos into the uterus of the woman or her gestational surrogate.
Freezing embryos. For women who are in a trusted relationship and want children, freezing embryos is a fantastic option. This type of fertility preservation consists of the woman taking ovulation induction medications, the doctor retrieving the resulting mature eggs, and an embryologist fertilizing the eggs with sperm from the woman’s partner. Through vitrification, the embryologist then flash-freezes the resulting embryos.
Women wanting to build a family with the support of a sperm donor can also use embryo freezing.
Our Tennessee fertility center helps women curious about the connection between World Cancer Day and oncofertility learn more about freezing embryos and other effective options for women at all stages of life.
How our clinic can help male cancer patients
Sperm freezing is an important fertility preservation option for male cancer patients, since treatments such as chemotherapy can cause sperm-production issues. Freezing sperm ensures that men have an available specimen when they’re ready to start a family.
This process involves the man providing one or more semen samples. Immediately afterward, an andrologist washes, prepares and flash freezes the sperm. When the man wants to use the sperm, a lab specialist thaws and prepares it for the fertility treatment the man elects. There are two fertility treatments patients can use after thawing sperm.
IUI, intrauterine insemination. If the man has a partner with a healthy uterus and ovarian reserve, they’re likely good candidates for an IUI. This treatment involves the doctor using a catheter to insert the man’s sperm into his partner’s uterus.
IVF, in vitro fertilization. Men with a female partner with certain fertility issues, or those using an egg donor and gestational surrogate, will need to utilize IVF. This process consists of an embryologist fertilizing eggs from the man’s female partner or egg donor with his sperm. A doctor at our Tennessee fertility center then transfers a resulting embryo into the uterus of the man’s partner or gestational surrogate.
If World Cancer Day and oncofertility are top of mind, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at our clinic. During this consult, you can learn more about fertility preservation and if it is the right choice for your unique situation.
Contact us for more information about cancer and fertility preservation.
