- Do fertility drugs cause cancer?
- What about IVF treatment?
- Do cancer cause fertility?
It is true that a few studies seemed to find a connection between fertility drug use and an increased risk of breast or uterine cancer, specifically with the drug Clomiphene Citrate.
But should you be concerned about an increased cancer risk? Let’s take a look.
Studies that suggest a link between fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and cancer are conflicting, with some reporting a small increase in cancer risk for hormone-sensitive cancers including ovarian, uterine, and breast. However, many studies demonstrate no increased risk at all. Additionally, it’s unclear if the underlying infertility is the cause of increased cancer risk in some patients.
For cancer patients, the threat of infertility is a common concern. Radiation, chemotherapy and surgery have the potential to impact fertility. The surgical removal of reproductive organs — uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes in women, and testes in men — will obviously impact fertility. And certain forms of chemotherapy, such as high-dose alkylating agents, may result in temporary or permanent infertility in both men and women. Radiation can affect sperm production in men and result in premature ovarian failure in women.
Fertility Preservation Options for Cancer Patients
For recently diagnosed patients, we understand that delaying treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation may not always be possible, and that you may need to move quickly.
- Egg Freezing and Sperm Freezing: Freezing your eggs or sperm before cancer treatment keeps them safe from the potentially harmful effects of radiation or chemotherapy. If treatment will include surgery which involves the reproductive organs, egg or sperm freezing provides you with a range of fertility options post-treatment.
- Embryo Freezing: For some patients, creating and freezing embryos prior to treatment, either with a partner or a donor, provides the highest chance of a successful pregnancy after cancer.
