Hope for Post-Cancer Fertility
Dr. Kutluk Oktay, of Cornell University, is a reproductive endocrinologist. He removed sections of ovaries from two patients and implanted them into their arms. The transplants were performed at New York Methodist Hospital. The tissue produced visible, small bump-like mini-ovaries. These ovaries continued to function in the arm.
The results, which were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, may offer hope that the women, both in their 30s, could eventually become pregnant. It is estimated that over 40,000 women are diagnosed annually with cancer during their reproductive years. These patients often require radiation and/or chemotherapy which can damage the ovaries.
If this tissue can be removed prior to treatment and implanted into the arm after chemotherapy and away from radiation, the reproductive cycle may remain viable. This procedure could also benefit those who have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, or other ailments which require the use of sterility-inducing drugs.
Pregnancy could be attempted through in-vitro fertilization. Other attempts at preserving fertility, such as freezing unfertilized eggs, have only had rare success.
Many breast cancer specialists applaud the promise of this research. Patients are hopeful. One patient expressed the opinion of most young women diagnosed with breast cancer. "It's bad enough to be diagnosed with cancer. The second blow comes when they tell you you might not be able to have children."
Since many women are being diagnosed at an earlier age and earlier stage, thanks to better diagnostic tools, reproduction has become a greater concern for those dealing with women's cancers. Local support groups are dealing with pre and peri-menopausal women. Young Survivors (http://www.youngsurvival.org) focuses on women under age 40 who have breast cancer.
Exciting research is occuring every minute. Get involved! Push for research and funding. Join some type of breast cancer group, for support, education and to help others. Women are powerful allies, speakers, motivators and their own best advocates. Let's make breast cancer a thing of the past.
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