Communication and cancer-related infertility

Cancer and cancer therapies (e.g. surgery, chemotherapy, radiation) may have a significant impact on fertility for both young men and women, resulting in distress regarding future parenting options. Fertility preservation (FP) is available through sperm cryopreservation and for women through oocyte or embryo cryopreservation. While normal fertility will occur after treatment for many patients in the survivorship phase, assisted reproductive therapy (ART) may be the only option for some. Because of this uncertainty, healthcare providers must discuss this challenge immediately after diagnosis to facilitate decision-making regarding FP, and at all points along the continuum with patients and their families to ensure that the right information and choices are clearly shared. Research has shown that timely communication can result in successful outcomes for patients wishing to have children after treatment completion.