Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 4: A breast cancer diagnosis at a young age can feel like an uphill battle, and for women in their 20s and 30s, one of the biggest concerns is how treatment may affect their future family planning. Doctors say that while modern medicine has brought hope through fertility preservation techniques, early counselling remains key.

Every woman is born with a limited number of eggs, which gradually decline until menopause. Once damaged or lost, these eggs cannot be replaced. “Breast cancer itself does not affect fertility, but the treatments do,” explained oncologists. Chemotherapy can harm the ovaries, reducing both the number and quality of eggs. Hormonal therapies such as tamoxifen, often prescribed for 5 to 10 years, can further shrink the fertility window. Radiation, though rarely targeted at the ovaries, may still have systemic effects.

The risk of fertility loss depends on the type and dosage of chemotherapy, the woman’s age at diagnosis, and the need for prolonged hormonal treatment.

Medical experts highlight several options available to young women

Egg or embryo freezing: The most widely used and effective method, allowing eggs or embryos to be preserved before chemotherapy.

Ovarian suppression: Drugs can temporarily “switch off” the ovaries during chemotherapy, though this works best alongside other methods.

Ovarian tissue freezing: An experimental procedure where ovarian tissue is removed, frozen, and later re-implanted.

Doctors stress that women considering these options should consult specialists at the earliest, ideally before treatment begins. “It is not just about women who are certain they want children; even those who are unsure benefit from keeping the option open,” experts added.

While survival is the foremost concern, preserving quality of life—including the possibility of motherhood—remains equally important. With the right medical support, many young breast cancer survivors are able to conceive and build families after treatment.