A group of surgeons and oncologists from Stanford University recently published a report that looked at the timing from initial cancer diagnoses to the beginning of surgery or chemotherapy in women who underwent fertility preservation (in the form of oocyte retrieval and cryopreservation, OR) and women who did not (CONtrol). The study found that the time from initial diagnoses to the beginning of chemotherapy was not significantly different depending on whether women chose to undergo fertility preservation (and average of 71 vs 67 days for OR and CON, respectively). The authors conclude, “The time investment required for OR and cryopreservation is manageable and does not significantly prolong the time interval from diagnosis to start of adjuvant chemotherapy.”
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Obviously, we are working to make sure that women with even a very small window of opportunity before cancer treatment have options for preserving their fertility. Still, it is very heartening to know that for many women, undergoing potential fertility saving measures does not mean they will necessarily delay their treatment.