A Future Worth Protecting
Oncofertility: Preserving Your Fertility Before Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis can bring many unexpected decisions, including how to protect your future family-building options. Oncofertility is a specialized field that combines oncology and reproductive medicine to help patients preserve their fertility before starting cancer treatments that may affect their ability to have biological children.
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and certain surgeries can impact eggs, sperm, embryos, or reproductive organs. Oncofertility provides options that may help protect your fertility and give you more choices for the future—whether you hope to have children after treatment or simply want to preserve the possibility.
How Oncofertility Can Help Preserve Your Future
Fertility preservation works by safely storing reproductive material before cancer treatment begins. Depending on your age, diagnosis, treatment plan, and personal goals, options may include:
Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation): Freezing eggs for potential future use.
Embryo freezing: Creating and freezing embryos using eggs and sperm for future pregnancy attempts.
Sperm freezing: Collecting and storing sperm before treatment.
Ovarian or testicular tissue preservation: Options that may be considered in certain situations, including for younger patients.
Fertility counseling: Working with specialists to understand your risks, options, and timeline.
Preserving fertility before treatment can provide peace of mind and help you maintain reproductive choices during an uncertain time.
Quick Guide: How to Get Started With Oncofertility
1. Talk to your oncology team early
Ask about how your recommended cancer treatment may affect fertility. Fertility preservation is often most successful when planned before treatment begins.
2. Request a referral to a fertility specialist
A reproductive endocrinologist or oncofertility specialist can review your options and create a personalized plan.
3. Understand your fertility preservation choices
Your specialist will explain available procedures, timing, costs, and what option may best fit your situation.
4. Create a timeline with your care team
Many fertility preservation procedures can be completed quickly, allowing cancer treatment planning to continue as soon as possible.
5. Focus on your future goals
Your fertility journey is personal. A care team can help you make informed decisions based on your health, values, and hopes for the future.
Take the First Step Toward Protecting Your Future
If you or someone you love is facing cancer treatment, ask about oncofertility as soon as possible. Early conversations with your oncology and fertility teams can help you explore options and make a plan that supports both your cancer care and future family-building goals.
Your future matters. Fertility preservation can help keep your options open.
Decide Today for Tomorrow
This narrows the window of time that a female can become pregnant. The decision whether to pursue fertility preservation is a personal one. We want you to know what options are available. This will allow you to have all the information that you need to make the best decision for yourself so that you can be able to have a biological child in the future if you so wish. To schedule a consultation, call one of our offices in Manhattan or Flushing, or book an appointment online.