Pregnancy after cancer

When we talk about cancer, we are referring to a silent disease that often presents itself without warning and regardless of our sex or age. Although it is a pathology that tends to be diagnosed at older ages, there are a large number of young patients who suffer from this affliction.

Nowadays, advances in research and early diagnosis allow us to find a high percentage of patients who manage to overcome this disease, or in whom it becomes chronic, enabling them to lead a very good quality of life.

However, when young men or women are diagnosed, their fertility is often seriously compromised as a result of oncological drugs or radiotherapy.

In this regard, the role of both oncologists and gynecologists is fundamental, ensuring that patients know what the effects of the treatments will be in relation to their fertility, and the alternatives for vitrifying their oocytes or freezing their sperm for them to be able to try to conceive a baby in the future.

WHY DOES CANCER AFFECT OUR FERTILITY?

In this case, when we talk about the possible link between cancer and fertility, we must consider two aspects.

On the one hand, the disease itself may appear and develop in the male or female reproductive organs, which would lead to their partial or complete impairment.

On the other hand, apart from the possible need for surgery and as mentioned above, the actual pharmacological treatments or radiotherapy negatively affect and compromise our fertility. These types of treatments directly attack the cancer cells present in our body; however, they can also attack and destroy cells that we could describe as “healthy”, such as those associated with the production of both oocytes and sperm.

FERTILITY PRESERVATION: ONE MORE REASON FOR HOPE

When we talk about assisted reproduction, we must understand that the ultimate goal of all efforts in research is to ensure that all women have the opportunity to form their own families.

Over the last few years, there have been several advances which include improvements in embryo selection, genetic analysis of embryos, and even prenatal tests that help us identify the best time to get pregnant. Among these advances, fertility preservation is one of the most important that have been made, both in the case of anticipating a medical cause of fertility impairment, as well as in cases in which preservation is decided for social reasons, giving the woman the freedom to choose when she wants to become a mother.

In the case of oncology patients, fertility preservation, which should always be performed before starting cancer treatment, is particularly important from an emotional perspective as well, since it helps to cope with the malignant disease. We should bear in mind that the moment in which a patient receives the news of the diagnosis of the disease is, by all means, a difficult blow to assimilate. Fertility preservation, both for male and female patients, gives them the possibility of becoming a father or mother in the future. This way, they can face the disease with a new dose of motivation and hope.

FREE FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES FOR ONCOLOGY PATIENTS AT HC MARBELLA INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL

At HC Fertility we are fortunate to be part of one of the most innovative centres for the detection and treatment of cancer, which enables us to face the medical aspect with high expectations.

With the aim of helping our oncology patients who are in their fertile years, HC Fertility and HC Cancer Center offer the possibility of preserving their fertility before the beginning of the treatment, completely free of charge.

Since both Units are located in the same hospital, the preservation can be accomplished in an expeditious way, avoiding delays in the beginning of the oncologic treatment and facilitating to the greatest extent possible the whole process for the patient, supporting and relieving him/her in such a difficult moment of his/her life.