Breast cancer fertility fears

BREAST cancer sufferers are often reluctant to undergo chemotherapy because they fear it will affect their chances of having children, according to the support group Europa Donna Ireland.

Yesterday it launched a booklet to advise women with breast cancer what implications the illness will have on their fertility and reproductive system.

“In 2004, there was 94 women under the age of 40 diagnosed with breast cancer. That rose to 156 in 2005,” said chairwoman of Europa Donna, Christine Murphy Whyte.

Dr Janice Walshe, consultant oncologist who helped compile the book, said: “It’s important to realise that not all treatments for breast cancer are going to have an effect on fertility. Chemotherapy is the biggest offender. It can have a direct effect on ovary reduction and stopping eggs being produced altogether.”

She said the age of the patient, the dose and type of drug are the main factors which influence whether a woman’s fertility will be effected.

The booklet will be distributed to cancer centres with money from Fashion Targets Breast Cancer T-shirts, available in Brown Thomas and A|wear.

* www.europadonnaireland.ie