So that the illness does not take away the chance to have children

Cancer is currently one of the most common lifestyle diseases. Specialists are increasingly effective in treating it, but not all of its side effects can be prevented. In some cases, survivors experience temporary or permanent infertility. Cancer isn't limited to older people; oncological diagnoses are also made in young people who will only be deciding on having children in the future. The government's fertility preservation program is aimed at them.

The program covers women from puberty to the age of 40 and men from puberty to the age of 45 who are undergoing or are undergoing cancer treatment that may negatively impact their fertility.

"Oncology patients of this age can protect their fertility in the future without incurring any additional costs," emphasizes Dr. Małgorzata Talerczyk, a specialist oncologist at the Department of Clinical Oncology and Deputy Director of Treatment at the West Pomeranian Cancer Center in Szczecin. "The first step will be a conversation with the oncology physician who will assess the risks associated with the therapy, refer the patient to a reproductive medicine facility, and advise on appropriate steps."

In Szczecin and the West Pomeranian Voivodeship there are two centers that provide oncofertility assistance: Bocian and Vitrolive.

"For patients, a cancer diagnosis is often a shock," adds Dr. Małgorzata Talerczyk. "It challenges them to begin treatment, to focus on the here and now. But current medical advances show that we can not only cure patients but also provide opportunities to plan for the future and have children. It's worth taking advantage of this opportunity."

The Ministry of Health states that cancer patients who wish to have children can protect their fertility in the future by collecting and storing gametes before or during cancer treatment. In this case, oocyte freezing is recommended for women, and sperm freezing for men.

(cord)