Nasce

Nasce

According to data from the National Cancer Institute – INCA, an estimated incidence of 625,000 new cases of cancer in Brazil in 2020 is estimated, with breast cancer being the most prevalent in the female population (66,000 new cases annually).

Advances in science and early diagnosis have provided cancer patients with greater hope for a cure and a better quality of life. We know that cancer treatment can impact female and male fertility. That's why the topic “preservation of fertility” is so important right now. Who explains it to us is the gynecologist Andrey Boeno , from Nasce, a specialist in Human Reproduction.

In women with breast cancer, chemotherapy is potentially harmful to the ovaries, as it leads to destruction of the primordial ovarian follicles and also damages the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. The level of compromised function of these organs can vary according to age and medication used.

The cure for cancer today, in addition to restoring the function of organs and systems, must also ensure the full restoration of quality of life after the disease. The oncofertilidade is an area of extreme importance, connects oncology reproductive medicine, providing advice and developing strategies for the preservation of fertility, especially in young patients.

A conversation about the impacts of treatment on fertility and the desire for a future pregnancy is an important part of monitoring these patients. A consultation with a specialist in reproductive medicine should be advised and the oncologist plays a fundamental role in this direction.

Patients who have been evaluated by a specialist in human reproduction have a better individual adaptation after treatment than those who have not had this experience. Even so, it is observed that the number of patients referred for counseling is very small, some claiming that they never received information or guidance on the preservation of their fertility.

There are several techniques for preserving female fertility. The freezing of eggs and embryos is already well established and has extensively proven effectiveness. The freezing of ovarian tissue shows promising results, but it is still carried out on an experimental basis. It may be indicated for girls before puberty or women who have contraindications for controlled ovarian stimulation.

Egg freezing has fertilization and pregnancy rates similar to in vitro fertilization using fresh eggs, and there is no increase in chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects, or developmental changes in children born from frozen eggs. It is an adequate and safe technique for fertility preservation.

Many women will be diagnosed with cancer at a childbearing age and this makes the responsibility of doctors even greater. We physicians must be aware of this very important detail. Cancer treatment has historically focused on curing the disease, and often does not take into account the patient's fertility.

The ability to start a family and have children is a matter of great impact on the quality of life of those who wish and dream of it. The impossibility of pregnancy after cancer treatment can greatly influence this quality. For this reason, it is very important to discuss the matter with a specialist whenever the diagnosis is made in women of reproductive age.