Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 31: A diagnosis of cancer can be overwhelming, but experts warn that its impact on fertility is often overlooked during treatment planning, despite long-term implications for patients.

Highlighting the issue, Dr Prachi Benara, Fertility Specialist at Birla Fertility, Gurugram, said treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and certain surgeries can significantly affect reproductive health.

“Chemotherapy, radiation and some surgeries can damage eggs, sperm and ovarian function. Up to 80 per cent of women receiving alkylating agents may experience reduced egg reserves or early menopause. In men, chemotherapy can drastically lower sperm counts, sometimes permanently,” she said.

Despite this, discussions around fertility preservation are often missing at the time of diagnosis. Experts note that there is typically a two-to-three-week window during which patients can opt for fertility preservation without delaying cancer treatment.

Procedures such as egg freezing, embryo freezing and sperm freezing are well-established and not experimental. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recommends that all patients of reproductive age be informed about these options at diagnosis. However, globally, fewer than half report having received such information.

Advancements in technology have also improved outcomes. Frozen eggs now have survival rates above 90 per cent after thawing, while sperm freezing has been successfully used for decades with strong pregnancy outcomes.

Doctors stress that fertility preservation should be seen as an essential part of comprehensive cancer care, not an optional add-on. Ensuring patients are informed early can help them retain the possibility of having biological children in the future.