Does cervical cancer affect fertility among women?

According to World Health Organization WHO cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally Its effects can go beyond the diagnosis impacting other aspects of health including fertilityLink between cervical cancer and fertilityAmong patients of childbearing age the crucial topic of whether cervical cancer impacts fertility frequently comes upDr Shishir N Shetty Senior Consultant Surgical Oncology Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi says Depending on the cancers stage the kind of treatment needed and the patients general condition the answer is complicatedrdquoldquoAlthough a womans reproductive health may be impacted by the measures taken to control and remove the illness fertilitypreserving techniques like a cone biopsy or a trachelectomy removal of the cervix while leaving the uterus intact may be options for earlystage cervical cancer Many women are able to conceive and carry a pregnancy to term because of these procedures However problems including premature labour or cervical insufficiency are more likely to occurrdquo he further explainsHowever treatment for advanced stages of cervical cancer can significantly affect fertilityExplaining the same Dr Shetty says ldquoMore severe therapies like chemotherapy radiation therapy or a hysterectomy uterine removal are required for advanced stages of cervical cancer The mainstay of treatment for cervical cancer especially when it has progressed is radiation It targets and eliminates cancer cells using highenergy radiation frequently in conjunction with chemotherapy for maximum efficacy Radiation therapy poses serious hazards to fertility even if it can save lives Depending on the medications and dosage chemotherapy may also affect ovarian functionrdquoBeyond the physical effects a womans reproductive decisions may also be impacted by the emotional and psychological toll of receiving a cervical cancer diagnosis and undergoing treatmentFertility preservation techniquesldquoFor people who had dreamed of having biological children in the future the possibility of infertility can be upsetting New developments in fertility preservation methods such freezing eggs or embryos provide hope to lessen this Before starting treatment a fertility doctor should be consulted about these techniquesrdquo suggests Dr ShettyldquoAdditionally counselling programs and support groups are crucial in assisting women in overcoming the psychological difficulties brought on by infertility loss Maintaining open lines of communication with medical professionals guarantees that patients are aware of all of their options and the possible consequences of the treatments they selectrdquo he further statesPreventing cervical cancerRegular screenings and early diagnosis are key to preventing detecting and treating cervical cancer ldquoThe most effective method for preventing cervical cancer and maintaining fertility is still early identification with routine Pap screenings and HPV testing Another successful preventive strategy is vaccination against the human papillomavirus HPV which is a major contributor to cervical cancerrdquo informs Dr ShettyAlso ReadCervical Health Awareness Month Why a healthy cervix is important for a successful pregnancyAdvances in medical research and early detection offer optimism even though cervical cancer therapies may affect fertilityDisclaimer This is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice Kindly consult a qualified medical expert for personalised guidance