Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients: What to Do Now
A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. Fertility preservation may not be the first thing on your mind — but it's time-sensitive. Here's what you need to know, quickly.
Fertility preservation should happen before cancer treatment begins. Chemotherapy and radiation can permanently damage eggs, sperm, and reproductive organs. If you've been diagnosed with cancer and want future biological children, ask your oncologist about fertility preservation immediately.
Why Cancer Treatment Threatens Fertility
Chemotherapy: Alkylating agents (cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide) are particularly gonadotoxic, directly damaging eggs and sperm-producing cells. The degree of damage depends on drug type, cumulative dose, and the patient's age.
Radiation: Pelvic or abdominal radiation can damage the ovaries or testes directly. Cranial radiation can affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, disrupting reproductive hormone production.
Surgery: Removal of reproductive organs (oophorectomy, orchiectomy) directly eliminates fertility potential from those organs.
Options for Women
Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)
The most established option. Ovarian stimulation with injectable medications produces multiple eggs, which are retrieved and vitrified (flash-frozen). The entire process takes 10–14 days.
Rapid-start protocols allow stimulation to begin at any point in the menstrual cycle (no waiting for day 1 of a period), which is critical when treatment can't be delayed.
Cost: $5,000–$15,000 per cycle, plus annual storage. Many cancer patients qualify for financial assistance.
Embryo Freezing
Same process as egg freezing, but eggs are fertilized with partner or donor sperm before freezing. Embryos have slightly higher survival rates post-thaw than unfertilized eggs, though vitrification has narrowed this gap significantly.
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation
A strip of ovarian tissue is surgically removed and frozen. After cancer treatment, the tissue can be transplanted back, potentially restoring both fertility and hormonal function. No longer classified as experimental — live births have been reported worldwide. May be the only option for prepubertal girls.
GnRH Agonist Ovarian Suppression
Administering GnRH agonists (like Lupron) during chemotherapy may help protect the ovaries by temporarily shutting them down. Evidence is growing (Level 2) but not yet definitive. Often used alongside egg/embryo freezing as an additional protective measure, not a standalone option.
Options for Men
Sperm Banking
The simplest and most effective option. One or more semen samples are collected, analyzed, and frozen before treatment begins. Can be done in one day, costs $300–$1,000 plus annual storage. Even if cancer has already reduced sperm quality, banking whatever is available preserves options.
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
For men who cannot produce a sample through ejaculation (due to the cancer itself or recent surgery), sperm can be surgically extracted directly from testicular tissue and frozen.
Financial Assistance
LIVESTRONG Fertility provides financial assistance and connects cancer patients with fertility preservation services at reduced or no cost through a network of participating clinics.
Planned Parenthood and some state programs may also assist with costs.
Many fertility clinics offer discounted or pro bono fertility preservation cycles for cancer patients. Ask before assuming you can't afford it.
1. Tell your oncologist you want to preserve fertility before starting treatment. 2. Ask for an urgent referral to a reproductive endocrinologist. 3. Contact LIVESTRONG Fertility (855-220-7777) for financial assistance. 4. Don't delay cancer treatment more than necessary — rapid-start protocols can work within days.