In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, I like to highlight conversations around infertility and its emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual impact. As part of my doctoral research, I noted many studies that liken emotional struggles associated with infertility to that of cancer. Today’s blog post highlights both issues, with the specific cancer diagnosis of mesothelioma. Let’s continue to #flipthescript with additional information all around infertility!
I received the below information from a mesothelioma resource who simply wants to get the word out (thank you!). Below is what they sent.
Mesothelioma and Female Fertility
Many young women and girls dream of the day that they will become mothers and have a family of their own. Even women that have had children hold high hopes for adding to their families in the future. For some women, these hopes and dreams fall to pieces when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma: Not Just a Man’s Diagnosis
Although mesothelioma is typically seen more often in older men, young women have received this life-changing diagnosis as well. However, women typically respond better to mesothelioma treatments and live longer. Peritoneal mesothelioma is commonly found in younger women and due to its location can have a major impact on fertility. In fact, many different factors surrounding a mesothelioma diagnosis can cause a woman to become infertile, these include:
- Mesothelioma as the primary cancer
- Metastatic tumors to the reproductive organs or hormonal glands
- Cancer treatments like radiation or chemotherapy
Any female that desires to have children or additional children should discuss with her healthcare team what can be done to preserve her fertility or help her have kids in the future.
Chemotherapy and Fertility
Chemotherapy preparations like cisplatin, carmustine, doxorubicin, mechlorethamine, melphalan, procarbazine, and temozolomide can all have an impact on fertility by destroying eggs. Unfortunately, a woman is born with a limited number of eggs and when they die, more eggs will not be made. Women over the age of 35 are more likely to see decreased fertility after being treated with a chemotherapeutic agent. In addition, younger women who receive chemo may notice their fertility decline at an earlier age than those who did not.
Radiation and Fertility
If the mesothelioma tumors are near the reproductive organs, fertility can be of concern with radiation treatments. This is because radiation uses high beams of energy to kill cancerous cells. Additionally, radiation near the pituitary gland can also impact hormonal levels and therefore fertility.
Surgery and Fertility
Metastatic tumors in the ovaries or uterus may require the removal of these reproductive organs. Surgery in the abdomen carries the risk of harming the reproductive organs as well. However, surgery in other areas of the body will not likely have a direct impact on a female’s fertility.
Preserving Fertility Before Treatment
Research has revealed that women who undergo treatment for cancer are less likely to be given information about their future fertility than men are. This fact makes it especially important for women to advocate for themselves when it comes to cancer treatment and the future of their fertility. Not doing so can significantly decrease or entirely wipe out the chances of the woman having a biological child.
Egg Harvesting and Freezing
The good news is that there are options and ways to help preserve a woman’s fertility. Most commonly, before undergoing cancer treatments, the woman can have mature viable eggs extracted from her ovaries. The eggs can then be frozen for an indefinite amount of time and be fertilized with sperm when the woman desires. Any embryos that result can be placed in the uterus of the woman or into a surrogate carrier.
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is extremely difficult on many levels, including the potential loss of future fertility. Women who are proactive in speaking openly with their healthcare providers can increase the chances of becoming mothers in the future. However, this must be done before any treatment decisions are made. In addition, women can also benefit from support groups or seeking counseling regarding the impact mesothelioma and its treatments are having on her body and her fertility.
