Published online Jun 10, 2017. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v8.i3.241
Peer-review started: February 17, 2017
First decision: April 14, 2017
Revised: May 4, 2017
Accepted: May 12, 2017
Article in press: May 15, 2017
Published online: June 10, 2017
Processing time: 105 Days and 0.4 Hours
On average, over 25000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 45 annually in the United States. Because an increasing number of young women delay childbearing to later life for various reasons, a growing population of women experience breast cancer before completing childbearing. In this context, preservation of fertility potential of breast cancer survivors has become an essential concept in modern cancer care. In this review, we will outline the currently available fertility preservation options for women with breast cancer of reproductive age, discuss the controversy behind hormonal suppression for gonadal protection against chemotherapy and highlight the importance of timely referral by cancer care providers.
Core tip: Field of fertility preservation has experienced remarkable advances within the last 20 years. As a result, young cancer survivors have numerous options to maintain an important aspect of their quality of life, fertility. In this article we review the current state and controversies in fertility preservation. The article should be an important resource for professionals who take care of young women with breast cancer and other malignancies.