The truth about cervical cancer and fertility? Pregnancy after treatment is often possible
No one wants to hear the words, “You have cervical cancer.” This news can feel devastating, especially if you still want to start or grow your family. There is hope, though. Cervical cancer treatments are improving survival rates, and pregnancy is possible for many women after treatment.
The Fertility Center of Las Vegas (FCLV) offers fertility preservation services to cancer patients. These proactive measures can help preserve fertility before beginning cancer treatment. In honor of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, our Las Vegas fertility doctors explain what you need to know about cervical cancer and fertility.
How does cervical cancer affect fertility and pregnancy?
The same surgeries and therapies that treat cervical cancer can harm a woman’s fertility. Each treatment can cause different issues when a patient is trying to get pregnant.
- Surgery can be a part of cervical cancer treatment. These procedures may remove the uterus (womb) or the cervix (the connection between the uterus and the vagina). When these structures are removed, it is not possible to carry a pregnancy without surrogacy.
- Radiation therapy that targets the pelvic area can destroy cervical cancer cells. It can also damage the ovaries and uterus which can make it difficult to conceive or carry a pregnancy.
- Chemotherapy drugs that treat cervical cancer can sometimes damage the reproductive organs and lead to early menopause.
This information about cervical cancer and fertility might seem discouraging. However, new fertility preservation options offer hope. Also, a recent study reported that almost 50% of patients who had “fertility-sparing surgery” went on to have successful pregnancies.
Can I still have a baby after cervical cancer?
Many patients can still have a baby after finishing cervical cancer treatment. Although pregnancy is often possible, the likelihood of having a successful pregnancy after this diagnosis depends on several factors.
- The extent and stage of cervical cancer.
- The cancer treatment plan.
- Whether the patient had fertility-sparing surgery.
- Whether the patient pursued fertility preservation before treatment.
Options like egg freezing and embryo freezing can give patients peace of mind. Even if a patient does face reproductive damage from cancer treatments, their frozen reproductive materials can often still help them welcome a baby.
In other cases, third-party reproduction offerings like donor eggs and gestational surrogacy can make parenthood possible.
If you would like to learn more about cervical cancer and fertility, contact us. Additionally, if you have a cancer diagnosis, please let us know when you reach out. Our team can get you an expedited appointment with one of our Las Vegas fertility doctors.
