Fertility and Cancer Facts

Cancer Treatment and Infertility in Women: 1

Damage to the ovary induced by radiation and/or chemotherapy is progressive and irreversible, resulting in menstruation cessation and infertility. Total-body irradiation (TBI), needed before stem cell transplantation, is associated with greater than 90 per cent permanent ovarian failure in women, and an incidence of pregnancy of less than 3 per cent. In one study, 42 per cent of women treated with chemotherapy reported premature menopause by the age of 31. Recovery of ovarian function is rare following chemotherapy regimens for stem cell transplantation. An estimated 43 per cent of women with cervical cancer are diagnosed in their childbearing years. Hysterectomy is one of the traditional ways to treat cervical cancer and is the end to child bearing.

Cancer Treatment and Infertility in Men: 2

Testicular tumours are among the most common tumours that affect young men. Total-body irradiation, used in stem cell transplantation, causes permanent testicular failure in approximately 80 per cent of men. Chemotherapy regimens can be highly toxic, with a prolonged absence of sperm in semen in greater than 90 per cent of men who receive the highest doses of certain regimens. Platinum compounds can cause a prolonged absence of sperm in semen in up to 50 per cent of men.

Cancer among Young People in Canada: 3

Almost two-thirds of young adult cancers occur in young women. 4 Cancer incidence is rising in young women ages 20–39. 30 per cent of new cancer cases and 18 per cent of cancer deaths will occur in adults ages 20–59, the most productive stage of life. In 2005, approximately 10,000 Canadians aged 20–44 were diagnosed with cancer. An estimated 80 per cent survived. 5

  1. Simon B et al. Preserving Fertility after Cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2005; 55:211-228. Accessed on August 7, 2008 at: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/55/4/211
  2. Simon B et al. Preserving Fertility after Cancer. CA Cancer J Clin 2005; 55:211-228. Accessed on August 7, 2008 at: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/55/4/211
  3. “Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada: Canadian Cancer Statistics 2008”, Toronto, Canada, 2008. Accessed on August 7, 2008 at: http://www.cancer.ca/vgn/images/portal/cit_86751114/10/34/614137951cw_library_WYNTK_Bladder_Punjabi2005.pdf
  4. “Cancer Care Ontario: Cancer in Young Adults in Canada”, Toronto, Canada, 2006. Accessed on August 3, 2008 at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cyac-cjac06/pdf/cyac-cjac-2006_e.pdf
  5. “Cancer Care Ontario: Cancer in Young Adults in Canada”, Toronto, Canada, 2006. Accessed on August 3, 2008 at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cyac-cjac06/pdf/cyac-cjac-2006_e.pdf
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