Treatment spotlight:

• Oncofertility bridges cancer care and fertility preservation, helping people protect their ability to have children.
• Treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can impact fertility — but there are ways to plan ahead.
• Fertility preservation options include egg, sperm, or embryo freezing, among others.
• Oncofertility treatment is typically funded by the NHS, but it’s worth speaking with your oncologist for more personalised information.
• It’s important to speak to a specialist before starting cancer treatment if possible.
• Emotional, financial, and practical support is available to help you make the right choice for you.

Oncofertility is a specialist field that supports people diagnosed with cancer in preserving their ability to have children. It brings together cancer care and fertility treatment, offering options to protect fertility before, during, or after cancer therapy.

The word itself combines "onco," meaning cancer, and "fertility," reflecting its focus on supporting future family-building. The term "oncofertility" was first coined in 2006 by Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff, a leading researcher at Northwestern University in the US. She founded the Oncofertility Consortium — a network dedicated to improving quality of life for young cancer patients by protecting their fertility and future family-building options. [1,2]

Because treatments like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and some surgeries can impact the reproductive system, oncofertility plays an important role in helping people plan ahead. Although it isn’t yet available everywhere as a standalone specialism, it’s a growing area of care. A fertility specialist can guide you through your personal options, tailoring advice to your specific treatment and future plans. [3]

Cancer treatments are designed to target cancer cells — but they can sometimes affect healthy reproductive cells and organs too, or even trigger early menopause. [4]

Here's how different treatments may influence fertility:

• Chemotherapy: Some chemotherapy drugs can harm eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissues. The impact often depends on the type of medication and the dosage used.
• Radiotherapy: Radiation directed at or near the reproductive organs can damage eggs, sperm, or the uterus, depending on the area being treated. Even radiation to other parts of the body can sometimes have effects if the dose is high enough.
• Surgery: Operations to remove tumours may involve removing parts of the reproductive system, such as the ovaries, uterus, or testes, which can affect the ability to conceive naturally.
• Hormone therapies: Certain cancers are treated with medications that block or lower hormone levels. These treatments can sometimes temporarily or permanently affect fertility, depending on how long they are needed.

Not everyone will be affected in the same way — and some people may still be able to conceive naturally after treatment. But knowing your options early can help you feel more prepared, whatever your path looks like.

If you’re preparing for cancer treatment and thinking about your future fertility, there are steps you can take now to keep options open. The right approach will depend on your diagnosis, your treatment plan, and what feels right for you — but it’s always worth talking through with your oncologist before making a decision. [5,6]

Here's a look at the main fertility preservation methods available:

For women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB)

• Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation): Eggs are collected from the ovaries, frozen, and stored for future use. This is a well-established option that gives the flexibility to try for pregnancy later through fertility treatments like IVF.
• Embryo freezing: Similar to egg freezing, but the eggs are fertilised with sperm before being frozen. Embryo freezing is one of the longest-standing and most successful fertility preservation techniques.
• Ovarian tissue freezing: A section of ovarian tissue is removed and frozen before treatment, with the aim of reimplanting it later to restore fertility or hormone function. This approach is becoming more common but is still considered newer compared to egg and embryo freezing.
• Ovarian suppression with medication (such as GnRH agonists): Some medications can temporarily shut down ovarian function during chemotherapy, offering potential protection against damage. While research suggests it may help in some cases, it’s often used alongside — not instead of — other methods like egg freezing.
  
  

For men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB)

• Sperm freezing: Sperm is collected and frozen for future use. This is a well-established, simple process and is often one of the first options offered before treatment begins.
• Testicular tissue freezing: For those who aren't able to provide a sperm sample — for example, children or teenagers who haven't yet reached puberty — a small piece of testicular tissue can be frozen. This approach is still considered experimental but holds promise for future use.

Even if fertility preservation wasn’t possible before treatment — or if your plans have changed — there are still ways to build your family after recovery through oncofertility treatments. What’s right for you will depend on how your treatment has affected your reproductive health and what feels like the best fit for your future. [9]

The cost of fertility preservation can be a concern, especially when navigating a cancer diagnosis. In some cases, preservation options like egg, sperm, or embryo freezing may be funded by the NHS, particularly when treatment is likely to affect fertility. Eligibility can vary depending on your location, age, and individual circumstances, so it’s important to speak with your oncology team early to understand what’s available to you.

If NHS funding isn’t offered for your oncofertility treatment, there may be charity grants or support schemes that can help with the cost. Your care team or fertility clinic should be able to guide you through what’s available — including whether treatment delays might be covered.

If you've recently been diagnosed with cancer and are thinking about future fertility, it's a good idea to connect with an oncofertility doctor as early as possible — ideally before your treatment begins.

At your consultation, the doctor will talk you through how your specific cancer treatment could impact your fertility, and what options might be available to you. They'll take into account factors like your age, diagnosis, treatment plan, and personal hopes for the future. You’ll have space to ask questions, talk through any concerns, and make a plan that feels right for you.

Here are a few questions you might want to ask during your appointment:

• How might my treatment affect my fertility?
• What fertility preservation options would you recommend for me?
• How much time do I have to make a decision before treatment starts?
• Will fertility preservation delay my cancer treatment?
• What are the costs involved, and are there any funding options available?
• What does using frozen eggs, sperm, or embryos later actually involve?

There’s no one way to approach fertility after a cancer diagnosis — and no expectation to have it all figured out. This is a deeply personal conversation, shaped by your health, your hopes, and your timing.

What we do know is that oncofertility is a growing field, designed to support people through some of the most complex decisions they’ll ever face. And while the landscape can feel uncertain, there are options — and there is expertise.

Can I get pregnant naturally after cancer treatment?

Yes, it’s possible — but it depends on the type of treatment you had, your age, and your recovery. Some people find their fertility returns over time, while others may need extra support to conceive.

What if I can’t freeze eggs or sperm before treatment starts?

If there isn’t time to freeze eggs, sperm, or embryos before treatment, you still have options. Some fertility preservation methods, like ovarian or testicular tissue freezing, may be available even at short notice. If preservation isn't possible, other oncofertility family-building options like donor eggs, sperm, embryos, or surrogacy, depending on what feels right for you.

Can you do IVF if you have cancer?

In some cases, it’s possible to do IVF after a cancer diagnosis, but it depends on your individual situation, and whether your doctor advises that there’s time before treatment starts.

However, not everyone can safely delay cancer treatment for IVF. Your oncology and fertility teams will work closely together to balance what’s safest for your health while giving you the best possible chance to preserve your fertility.

Is IVF free on the NHS after cancer?

In some cases, IVF may be funded by the NHS after cancer treatment, but it often depends on where you live and your individual circumstances. Eligibility criteria can include factors like your age, whether you already have children, and local NHS guidelines.

Some people are also offered funded fertility preservation, such as egg or sperm freezing, before starting cancer treatment. It’s a good idea to speak with your oncology team early on to find out what support might be available in your area.

If NHS funding isn’t an option, your fertility clinic can talk you through other possibilities to fund your oncofertility treatment, including payment plans or charity grants that can help with costs.