Fertility

When you’re a Teen or Young Adult facing cancer, fertility might not be the first thing on your mind—that’s totally normal! But it’s really important to know that cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and some surgeries can sometimes affect your ability to have children in the future. This happens because these treatments can impact your reproductive organs or hormones. For guys, this might mean changes in sperm count or quality, and for girls, it could affect your eggs, cause early menopause, or change your hormone levels. The good news is, you’re not alone, and there are ways to protect your fertility if it’s safe to do so.

Staff will talk you through fertility preservation options before your treatment starts things like sperm banking, freezing eggs or embryos, or saving ovarian tissue. These options can help give you more choices for having children later on, even if your treatment affects your fertility.

It’s completely normal to have mixed feelings about this whether it’s worry, sadness, or even confusion and your healthcare team is there to support you every step of the way. They can connect you with fertility specialists and psychologists who understand exactly what you’re going through and can help you make decisions that feel right for you. Remember, no question is too small or silly when it comes to your future and your body. Talking openly about fertility means you’re taking control and planning for the life you want after cancer.

Even if fertility preservation isn’t an option for you, there are still ways to explore parenthood in the future, like adoption or surrogacy, and support is always available to help you through those conversations too. Your journey is unique, and knowing about fertility early on can make a big difference in how you feel and the choices you make. So, don’t hesitate to ask your team for information—they’re there to help you every step of the way!

What Is Fertility?

Fertility refers to the ability to conceive a child (for females) or to cause pregnancy (for males). Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can impact fertility, either temporarily or permanently.

Fertility Preservation Options

For Males:

• Sperm Banking: If you’ve reached puberty, you may be able to store sperm before treatment begins
• Testicular Tissue Freezing: For boys who haven’t reached puberty, this experimental procedure involves freezing testicular tissue for potential future use.

For Females:

• Egg or Embryo Freezing: If you’ve started menstruating, you might opt to freeze eggs or embryos before treatment.
• Ovarian Tissue Freezing: This experimental option involves freezing ovarian tissue and is considered for those who can’t delay treatment or haven’t started menstruating.

Additional Support

There are organisations that provide information and support related to fertility, including:

• British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA)
• Fertility Network UK
• LGBT Foundation
• Donor Conception Network

Your healthcare team can guide you to resources suited to your needs.

Remember, it’s important to have open conversations with your medical team about fertility concerns. They can provide personalised advice and support based on your individual circumstances.