Fertility after Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast cancer surgery, such as a lumpectomy or mastectomy, aims to remove cancerous tissue from the breast. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the reproductive organs such as the ovaries, may or may not be affected. It is Important to discuss the specific details of the surgery with your Cancer doctor or healthcare specialist to understand the potential impact on fertility.
Breast cancer treatment can have different effects on fertility. Here are some common treatments and their impact on fertility:
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy drugs can affect fertility by causing damage to the ovaries. Women produce fewer fertile eggs as they age and eventually stop making fertile eggs at menopause. The younger you are, you have more chances to bear a child. Over the age of 40, women are more likely to be in menopause after chemotherapy treatment. The impact on fertility depends on the drugs used, amount of dosage and the duration of treatment. Some chemotherapy drugs may temporarily suppress ovarian function, leading to a temporary stopping of menstrual cycles and a potential decrease in fertility. In some cases, chemotherapy can also cause permanent damage to the ovaries, resulting in infertility or early menopause.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy, particularly when targeted at the pelvic area or close to the ovaries, can have a damaging effect on fertility. The radiation can damage the eggs and follicles in the ovaries, leading to a decline in ovarian function or premature ovarian failure.
Hormonal Therapy:
Hormonal therapy, often prescribed for hormone receptor-positive breast cancers, aims to block the effects of estrogen or lower its production. While hormonal therapy does not directly affect fertility, it can affect your menstrual cycle, resulting in irregular periods or the absence of periods, which means you may no longer produce eggs. Once hormonal therapy is completed, menstrual cycles may resume, but it is important to acknowledge that some women may experience complications when trying to conceive.
Surgical Interventions
Breast cancer surgeries such as lumpectomy or mastectomy typically do not directly impact fertility, as it focuses on removing cancerous tissue from the breast. However, in rare cases where the surgery involves the removal of both ovaries (oophorectomy), it will cause immediate infertility.
Targeted Therapy
Targeted Therapy is relatively new in terms of breast cancer treatment, so there is very little information about its effect on fertility. However, to be certain, most doctors recommend waiting for a period of 6 months to 1 year after targeted therapy treatment.
It’s important to note that the impact of these treatments on fertility can vary from person to person. Factors such as age, the specific treatment regimen, and individual differences in ovarian reserve and function can all influence the degree of fertility impact.