Breast Cancer Patients Have Less To Worry About Infertility

Recent reports made by Dana-Faber Cancer Institute indicate that young breast cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment overestimate their risk of infertility problems. Infertility is one of the main concerns of breast cancer patients under the age of 40, who are still planning on having children. However, patients can worry less because the modern, advanced techniques used in chemotherapy are less risky than techniques used 20 years ago.

In addition, researchers are working on the technique of egg freezing, which is an option for cancer patients in order to preserve their fertility in the future. The latest technique called cryoloop vitrification uses a quick-freeze process that reduces the risk of ice crystal formation inside the egg and therefore increases the chances of survival of the egg.
Current researchers at the Diamond Institute, NJ, are investigating the procedure and results will be available in 2004. Drs. Hummel and Kettel agree that more information needs to be made available for cancer patients to educate them about risks and solution options.