What Is Oncofertility? Preserving Fertility During Cancer Treatment
A cancer diagnosis changes everything—including your plans for the future. If having children has been part of your life goals, one question often rises to the top:
Will I still be able to have a family after treatment?
This is where oncofertility comes in. It’s a growing field focused on preserving fertility in cancer patients, and it’s helping more people hold onto hope for parenthood—even after life-saving cancer treatments.
Dr. Zayn Al-Safi, a fertility specialist at the UCLA Fertility and Reproductive Health Center, breaks it down.
What Is Oncofertility?
Oncofertility is a term used to describe fertility preservation strategies for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Because cancer treatments—like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery—can harm reproductive organs or reduce egg quality and quantity, oncofertility aims to protect the ability to have children later on.
Thanks to improvements in cancer care and rising survival rates, more people are living long, full lives after cancer—and fertility is now an important part of their recovery plan.
How Does Cancer Affect Fertility?
Cancer can impact fertility in a few ways:
Surgery on reproductive organs (such as the uterus or ovaries) can directly affect the ability to carry a pregnancy or produce eggs.
Chemotherapy and radiation can damage the ovaries, leading to early menopause or permanent infertility.
Some treatments also affect the uterus, making pregnancy unsafe or difficult.
That’s why it’s important to consider fertility preservation before beginning cancer treatment.
Fertility Preservation Options
The most common and effective methods for preserving fertility are:
1. Egg Freezing
Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries after hormone stimulation and then frozen for future use. This allows you to preserve your unfertilized eggs until you’re ready for pregnancy.
2. Embryo Freezing
Eggs are retrieved, fertilized with sperm (from a partner or donor), and the resulting embryos are frozen. This method has slightly higher success rates than egg freezing and can include genetic testing to screen for inherited cancer-related conditions.
3. Embryo Transfer Options
When you’re ready to become pregnant (and have been cleared by your oncologist), the embryos can be transferred:
To your uterus, if pregnancy is considered safe
To a gestational carrier, if carrying a pregnancy would pose health risks
What Is the Process Like?
Oncofertility begins with a consultation and urgent referral from your cancer specialist. Time is often limited, so things move quickly.
Here’s what typically happens:
Initial assessment includes a blood test and ultrasound to evaluate ovarian reserve (egg count and quality).
Hormone injections stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
Eggs are retrieved and either frozen immediately or fertilized and then frozen as embryos.
The entire process usually takes about 2 weeks, after which cancer treatment can begin.
Why Oncofertility Matters
Cancer may disrupt your life, but it doesn’t have to end your dreams of becoming a parent. Oncofertility provides a way to take control of your reproductive future, even in the midst of uncertainty.
With the right support and a coordinated care team, you can preserve your options—because fertility is part of your whole health.
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This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
