Elective Egg Freezing for Cancer Patients

IVF Oocyte Retrieval OPU Procedure with Raffles Fertlity Centre

Cancer treatments can be life-saving, but they often aﬀect fertility, making it diﬃcult for patients to conceive in the future. For those looking to preserve their ability to have children later, elective egg freezing oﬀers a promising solution.

Here is a simple guide to understanding what is elective egg freezing, why it matters, and how it can help cancer patients.

What is Elective Egg Freezing?

Elective egg freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation, is a process where a woman’s eggs are collected and frozen for future use. This technique allows individuals to preserve their eggs when they are still healthy, enabling them to try for a family later when their health situation is more stable and the timing is right.

Why consider egg freezing during cancer treatment?

Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage eggs and impact fertility. For women undergoing these treatments, egg freezing can be a valuable option for preserving their fertility before starting treatment.

Here are three reasons why it might be worth considering:

	Preserving future fertility By freezing eggs before cancer treatment, patients have the option to use these eggs for conception later when they are ready to start a family.
	Emotional Reassurance Knowing that fertility options are preserved can reduce anxiety about future family planning, allowing patients to focus on their treatment and recovery.
	More family planning options Egg freezing provides ﬂexibility and additional options for family building. After completing cancer treatment, a woman can still attempt to conceive naturally. If that is not successful, she can use assisted reproductive technologies, like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), to utilise her stored eggs and start her family in the future.

How does the process work?

	Initial consultation A fertility specialist will evaluate your overall health and discuss your options. They will explain the egg freezing process, including potential risks and beneﬁts.
	Ovarian stimulation To prepare for egg retrieval, you will take hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This usually takes about 10 to 14 days.
	Egg retrieval Once the eggs are mature, a minor procedure is performed to collect them from your ovaries. This is done under sedation and is generally quick and minimally invasive.
	Freezing The retrieved eggs are then frozen using a technique called vitriﬁcation, which ensures they remain viable for future use.
	Storage The frozen eggs are stored in a specialised facility until you are ready to use them.

What to Expect

	Timing The egg freezing process can take a few weeks. Therefore, it is important to plan and start early, if possible, especially before starting cancer treatment.
	Cost The cost of egg freezing and storage can be signiﬁcant, and it is worth discussing the ﬁnancial aspects with your healthcare provider and insurance company.
	Emotional support The decision to freeze eggs can be emotionally challenging. It is important to have a support system and consider counselling to help navigate the emotional aspects of fertility preservation.

Once cancer treatment is complete and you are ready to start a family, you can use the frozen eggs through IVF. Your fertility specialist will guide you through the process of thawing and fertilising the eggs to create embryos for implantation.

Elective egg freezing is a proactive step for cancer patients who want to preserve their fertility and future family options. By understanding the process and discussing it with your healthcare team, you can make informed decisions about your reproductive health and future.