There are common questions that we can answer about all health topics, such as "What is it?" and "How many people are affected." Answers to these questions are found under Condition Information. Each health topic frequently has specific questions that pertain only to that topic. We have answered those in this section.
Does cancer treatment affect fertility?
Cancer treatments can affect fertility in both men and women. For example, chemotherapy can affect a woman's fertility by damaging her eggs or affect a man's fertility by damaging his sperm. Some radiation treatments and some surgeries can also damage eggs, sperm, or reproductive organs. Methods exist for preserving fertility before cancer treatment. Whether fertility preservation is an option for a given patient depends on the type of cancer and whether treatment has to be started right away. You should talk to your health care provider about your options.1
- American Cancer Society. (2011). Fertility and cancer. Retrieved June 26, 2012, from http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/PhysicalSideEffects/FertilityandCancerWhatAreMyOptions/index [top]