India has seen a big improve in most cancers diagnoses amongst ladies of reproductive age. Breast most cancers, specifically, has develop into the commonest most cancers affecting ladies in India and is more and more being detected between the ages of 25 and 40. At this stage in life, many ladies are nonetheless planning for the longer term, akin to pursuing a profession, contemplating marriage, or hoping to develop into a mom. A most cancers analysis is emotionally overwhelming in itself, however added misery happens when ladies are knowledgeable that chemotherapy, focused remedy, or radiation remedy can irreversibly have an effect on ovarian reserve.
At a time when most cancers remedies are saving extra lives than ever earlier than, survival is not outlined solely by remission. It additionally consists of the potential for residing a top quality of life after remedy, together with the flexibility to conceive. For a lot of younger ladies, lack of fertility might really feel like a psychological blow to their womanhood, reasonably than only a facet impact of remedy. Due to this fact, the idea of gamete preservation isn’t a luxurious, however a obligatory a part of holistic, considerate, and significant most cancers remedy.
The most important obstacles to fertility preservation are lack of time and consciousness. Most cancers remedy typically wants to begin shortly, and there’s a restricted timeframe by which sufferers will be knowledgeable about reproductive dangers and supplied with out there choices. That is the place the combination of oncologists and fertility specialists turns into necessary. Dialogue, if initiated with an preliminary session, can go a great distance in serving to to make constructive and knowledgeable choices. Your oncologist is commonly your first level of contact. Their consciousness and well timed referrals make an enormous distinction. In the meantime, fertility specialists have to be geared up with quick, secure, and efficient protocols to protect fertility with out delaying most cancers remedy.
The science of fertility preservation
Over the previous decade, fertility preservation strategies have developed considerably, bringing hope to ladies who as soon as had no choices. The principle strategies embrace:
Egg cryopreservation (egg freezing): Egg freezing has develop into the popular possibility for a lot of younger, single ladies. The method includes managed ovarian stimulation and subsequent restoration of mature oocytes, that are then vitrified (fast frozen) to protect high quality. Advances in testing know-how have improved survival and being pregnant charges from frozen eggs, making this a viable possibility.
Embryo cryopreservation: For girls who’ve a companion or are selecting donor sperm, embryo freezing provides glorious success charges. Embryos created with IVF/ICSI are frozen for future use, giving probably the most predictable outcomes. This technique has been used for many years and stays the gold customary when indicated.
Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue: In uncommon instances the place a lady can not endure hormonal stimulation, akin to in ladies who require pressing remedy or prepubescent women, cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is another. A small portion of the ovarian cortex is eliminated laparoscopically and frozen. Reimplanting tissue after most cancers remedy restores hormonal perform and permits pure being pregnant. Though technically complicated, this technique has been utilized in 300 births worldwide and isn’t experimental on a worldwide stage.
Freezing testicular tissue in prepubescent/adolescent boys continues to be within the experimental stage worldwide. For males, semen freezing is carried out. It’s collected both by ejaculation or by surgical sperm retrieval strategies referred to as PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) and TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction).
Alternative, Dignity, and Hope
Fertility preservation is basically about giving sufferers the selection, dignity, and hope to develop into mother and father. The potential for having a organic youngster after most cancers remedy can vastly contribute to psychological well-being and long-term high quality of life.
In India, the place cultural expectations relating to marriage and motherhood are deeply entrenched, the psychological affect of potential infertility will be notably devastating. Offering fertility preservation can change this story from one in all worry to one in all hope for future potentialities.
Indian state of affairs
The fertility preservation motion in India started to prepare in 2014 with the institution of the Fertility Preservation Society of India (FPSI), based by Nalini Mahajan, a outstanding fertility professional. The convention introduced nationwide consideration to essential gaps in most cancers remedy at a time when the subject was not often mentioned or provided in medical apply. By means of annual conferences and year-round instructional actions, FPSI has strengthened most cancers infertility remedy practices throughout India. This platform encourages:
• Early infertility threat counseling
• Nationwide referral channels.
• Bettering entry to fertility preservation companies
• Collaboration between most cancers heart and IVF division
• Coaching for clinicians and ancillary workers throughout specialties.
Fertiprotect2025 Convention |Photograph Credit score: Particular Association
Not too long ago, FPSI’s twelfth Annual Worldwide Convention ‘FatiProtect 2025’ was held in Chennai, which introduced collectively main nationwide and worldwide consultants. For me because the Organizing Chair, a serious spotlight of the 12 months was FPSI’s launch of its first certification course on Oncofertility Therapy for medical practitioners, conceptualized by Dr. Nalini Mahajan and executed underneath the management of FPSI President Padmalekkha Jirge. The tutorial steerage and help of senior leaders together with former President Madhuri Patil and Prime Minister Gopinath was acknowledged.
With the robust participation of clinicians, oncologists, surgeons, and embryologists, FPSI stays dedicated to preserving fertility, preserving hope, and defending the way forward for most cancers survivors.
Fertility preservation should develop into an ordinary a part of oncology care, reasonably than a particular service provided to a choose few. Whereas each girl recognized with most cancers needs to be knowledgeable about her choices earlier than beginning remedy, all clinicians concerned in her care needs to be conscious that fertility safety is a key element of complete most cancers administration. For numerous younger ladies, this consists of the hope of changing into a mom right this moment, tomorrow, or at any time when they’re prepared.
(Dr. Priya Selvaraj is Director, GG Hospital, Heart for Reproductive Medication Analysis and Girls’s Specialty, Chennai. drpriya@gghospital.in)
issued – December 11, 2025 6:00 PM IST
