A cancer diagnosis can bring a flood of urgent decisions, often all at once. For many people, questions about future fertility surface quickly, sometimes before there’s time to fully process everything else. Oncofertility care exists to support you in this moment, offering clear guidance and timely options without adding unnecessary pressure.
At Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago, fertility specialists work closely with oncology teams to help coordinate care efficiently and thoughtfully. In many cases, fertility preservation can be completed before cancer treatment begins, without causing meaningful delays.
Oncofertility is a specialized area of care that focuses on protecting fertility for people who are about to undergo cancer treatment. It brings together reproductive medicine and oncology to help patients understand how treatment may affect their ability to have children in the future and what steps can be taken beforehand to preserve that possibility.
Some cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and certain surgeries, can affect the ovaries, testes, or reproductive hormones. The impact varies from person to person and depends on factors like age, diagnosis, and treatment plan. Because these effects can be permanent, timing matters.
Early referral to a fertility specialist allows more options to be considered and helps ensure fertility preservation can be coordinated alongside cancer care. Even when treatment needs to begin quickly, there is often a short window to explore preservation safely and efficiently.
The goal of oncofertility is not to force decisions or create added stress. It’s about preserving future choice so you can focus on treatment now, knowing your options for the future have been carefully considered.
Several fertility preservation options may be available before cancer treatment begins. The right approach depends on age, diagnosis, treatment timeline, and personal circumstances. A fertility specialist will help guide these decisions quickly and thoughtfully.
Children and adolescents facing cancer treatment may also have fertility preservation options, depending on age and medical circumstances. These cases require specialized coordination and careful discussion with patients, families, and oncology teams.
When facing cancer treatment, timing is one of the most common concerns patients have about fertility preservation. Oncofertility care is designed to move quickly while staying aligned with your oncology plan.
Fertility preservation is often fast-tracked, with appointments and testing scheduled as soon as a referral is made. Care teams work closely with oncologists to understand treatment timelines and identify safe windows for preservation whenever possible. In most cases, fertility preservation does not meaningfully delay cancer treatment. Plans are individualized to balance medical urgency with fertility goals, and recommendations are made with your overall health as the top priority.
Throughout the process, coordination remains ongoing. Your fertility and oncology teams communicate directly to ensure care is seamless, efficient, and centered on what matters most to you during this time.
Concerns about cost are common when fertility preservation is discussed alongside cancer treatment. Support is available to help patients understand coverage options and navigate financial questions without added stress.
In some cases, insurance plans may cover fertility preservation related to cancer treatment. Coverage varies based on diagnosis, treatment type, and individual insurance policies, so early review is important. There may also be financial assistance programs, grants, or medication discount programs available for patients pursuing fertility preservation due to a cancer diagnosis. Dedicated financial counselors can help review available options and guide next steps.
Oncofertility care at Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago is built around coordination, experience, and respect for the complexity of this moment. Our team has extensive experience working with patients facing cancer diagnoses and understands the need for timely, thoughtful fertility preservation planning. Reach out today to schedule an oncofertility consultation.
