Unfortunately, certain cancer treatments can have an effect on fertility. But, as Dr. Terri Woodard, director of the onco-fertility program at MD Anderson Cancer Center, says, “It’s not all doom and gloom.”
Dr. Woodard meets with people when they are facing a cancer diagnosis, and worried it will affect their ability to have kids in the future. For people in this position, there are a handful of options. “Which [option] is appropriate really depends on the cancer type,” Dr. Woodard says. “The standard of care options for fertility preservation for women would be egg or embryo freezing, and I believe that there are pros and cons to each.”
Read More You’ll have to weigh the options with your doctor. Embryo freezing has been the standard of care for many years. Dr. Woodard says that this is because, frankly, doctors are really good at it at this point. Egg freezing is a newer option, though most clinics do offer this option today as well.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
