To help doctors give their patients the best possible care, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) asks its medical experts to develop recommendations for specific areas of cancer care. In 2006, ASCO developed recommendations for fertility preservation for people with cancer. These recommendations were updated in 2013 to reflect new research and highlight the importance of fertility preservation discussions. This guide for patients is based on ASCO’s recommendations.
Key Messages:
- Because specific types of cancer treatments can decrease a person’s fertility (ability to have children), it’s important to talk with your doctor about how each type of treatment will affect your fertility before treatment begins.
- There are options to help preserve fertility in men and women, as well as children with cancer.
- Ask for a referral to a reproductive specialist to discuss preserving your fertility, even if you are unsure whether you want to have children.
Click on the link below to read the update.