Fertility

As far as we know, most young people who have had cancer don’t become infertile.

It depends on lots of factors – where your cancer is, the type of treatment you have, your age, whether you are male or female.

Having children may be the last thing on your mind right now. But you do need to think about it now.

Why? Because something can be done before you start treatment to protect your fertility. Though you may find it embarrassing now, as an adult you’ll be glad you spoke up.

Boys only – you may be offered a chance to bank your sperm before treatment. This means that you give a sperm sample, which is frozen until you want to have a child. If you are under 16, you need your parent’s permission for this.

Girls only – you should ask your doctor whether you may have problems in the future with your fertility (this is only the case for some girls). You could also ask whether anything can be done to preserve your fertility – it is sometimes possible that tissue from the ovary can be stored but this not suitable or possible for everyone.

Advances are being made all the time, and who knows what will be possible within the next 20 years? A useful website for more information on fertility options before, during and after treatment is www.fertilehope.org.

Sometimes people worry that cancer may affect sex now or in the future. But don’t worry. It’s more likely to affect your emotions rather than your physical ability to have and enjoy sex.