Reproductive Q&A for Cancer Survivors: Other Fertility Issues

Reproductive Q&A for Cancer Survivors:

Other Fertility Issues

Hormones and Ovaries Fertility Treatments

Premature Ovarian Failure Other Fertility Issues

Fertility and Pregnancy Sex After Cancer

If I get pregnant with my own eggs after cancer treatment, will my baby be normal?

Yes! Your chance of having a normal baby is the same as other women your age.

Should I expect any problems with my pregnancy or breast-feeding since I had cancer?

In most cases, women who become pregnant after cancer treatment are able to have normal and healthy pregnancies. In some studies, women who had high amounts of radiation to their pelvis had higher rates of miscarriages (the fetus died). Every woman's pregnancy is different and should be followed closely by her health care provider regardless of whether or not she has received cancer treatment.

Your ability to breast-feed your child after your pregnancy will not be affected unless you have received radiation treatment to your breast area during your cancer treatment. Although the breast that received radiation will most likely produce little or no milk, you will still be able to feed your baby with the other breast if it was not exposed to radiation.

Is there a chance that my children will get cancer too?

While some cancers run in families, most cases of cancer are caused by something random and do not increase the risk of cancer for other family members. Only 5-15% of all cancer cases has something to do with a gene that you inherited. Most cancer survivors have healthy children. If you have concerns, you should talk to a genetics counselor.

Who can I talk to about fertility issues?

The first person you should talk to about fertility issues is your gynecologist or a reproductive endocrinology specialist. He or she will be able to figure out what kind of effect your cancer or cancer treatment has had on your ovaries and uterus. If needed, your gynecologist can refer you to a fertility specialist who can help you with your options.

What are the chances that my cancer treatment caused my infertility?

Infertility is a common problem that affects millions of couples in the world. It may be difficult for your doctor to tell whether your infertility is a result of your cancer treatment or a condition that existed before your cancer. The chances that you are infertile because of cancer treatment depend on a few factors:

Your age at treatment: Girls who are treated in childhood usually have fewer reproductive problems than those who are treated in their teen or adult years. Also, older women are more likely to be infertile and have POF. This is because girls are born with all the eggs that they will ever have. The older you are, and the more menstrual cycles you've had, the fewer eggs you have left. Younger girls have a larger supply of eggs and may be able to finish cancer treatment with some eggs still remaining in their ovaries.
The kind of cancer you had: Some cancers need treatments that are more harmful to your reproductive organs than others. An example of this would be a cancer that requires either surgery on your pelvic organs or direct radiation to your pelvis.
The kind of treatment you received: Some cancer treatments, such as bone marrow transplantation, cause high rates of infertility. If you received large amounts of radiation to your pelvis (for treatment of Wilm's Tumor, for example), there is a good chance that your ovaries were affected. Low amounts of radiation to areas of your body not near your reproductive organs are less likely to cause infertility.

Next: Sex After Cancer

Written by the Center for Young Women's Health Staff

Updated 3/12/06

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Hormones and Ovaries	Fertility Treatments
Premature Ovarian Failure	Other Fertility Issues
Fertility and Pregnancy	Sex After Cancer