SATURDAY, May 31 (HealthDay News) -- Chemotherapy may reduce
fertility in breast cancer survivors, according to a study led by
researchers at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
They found that premenopausal breast cancer survivors treated
with chemotherapy following surgery were more likely than women
who'd never had breast cancer to have diminished ovarian reserve --
the capacity of the ovaries to produce eggs capable of being
fertilized.
The study included 20 breast cancer survivors who were one or
more years out from their diagnosis and had no evidence of cancer
recurrence. They were compared to 20 age-matched women who'd never
had breast cancer.
All the women underwent five tests conducted two, three or four
days after a menstrual cycle. The tests assessed the ovaries'
physical condition, hormone levels and a compound involved in the
menstrual cycle.
In four of the five tests, ovarian reserve was worse in the
breast cancer survivors than in the control group.
The study was expected to be presented Saturday at the annual
meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in
Chicago.
"These findings may have important implications for women who
are interested in having children after receiving chemotherapy,"
study leader Dr. Ann Partridge said in a prepared statement.
"Studies that track breast cancer survivors following treatment are
needed to determine the predictive value of these tests for
pregnancy."
More information
Breastcancer.org has more about
breast cancer and fertility and pregnancy.
