Overview
Cancer and its treatment may affect a person’s ability to conceive a child or maintain a pregnancy (fertility).
Whether or not you want to become a parent or add to your family, you may be wondering how cancer will affect your fertility. It is important to understand if there are ways to preserve your fertility before and during treatment, and your options after cancer treatment.
Learning that cancer treatment may affect your fertility can be distressing. You can read more about your options below, or call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 to talk it through with our qualified professionals.
What's in this booklet
When talking about the body in this booklet, we use the terms “female” and “male” for clarity. We acknowledge that some people may identify with a different sex or gender.
About reproduction and fertility
Reproduction is how we produce babies. Knowing how your body works may help you understand how fertility problems happen.
Key questions
Find answers to common questions such as how cancer might affect fertility, how age affects fertility, when you can try to get pregnant after cancer treatment, and more.
Making decisions about fertility
Even if you think, “But I don’t want kids” or “My family is complete”, it is still important to consider your fertility options before cancer treatment. Explore important considerations for these decisions.
Treatment side effects and fertility
Find out about the ways different cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, may affect your reproductive health.
Female options before cancer treatment
Learn about the different ways your fertility can be preserved before treatment, including freezing eggs or ovarian tissue.
Female options after cancer treatment
Learn about checking fertility after treatment and ways of conceiving including using donor eggs or embryos.
Male options before cancer treatment
Learn about the different ways your fertility can be preserved before treatment, such as freezing sperm (cryopreservation).
Male options after cancer treatment
Learn about checking fertility after treatment and ways of conceiving, including using donor sperm or IVF.
Fertility in children and adolescents
Health professionals and families may not always think about fertility when deciding on treatment for children. Find resources to help start the conversation around fertility.
Other ways to be a parent
Learn about other paths to parenthood including surrogacy, adoption and fostering.
Not having a child
Not being able to have a child after cancer treatment can be a very emotional time. Explore the mix of emotions and acceptance after facing fertility challenges.
Emotional impact
Learn about the emotional impact of infertility and how to cope with the grief, anger and uncertainty it may bring.
Relationships and your sex life
A cancer diagnosis, treatment side effects and living with the uncertainty of infertility can affect relationships and sex. Communication is key.
Useful websites
If you are affected by cancer and experiencing fertility challenges, these websites offer reliable information and support.
Questions for your doctor
It can be a good idea to prepare a list of questions before your appointments. See our list of questions about fertility and cancer.
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