Cancer Treatment Options Forum - February 19th, 2011 - 3 Comments
Cancer at age 6, chemo now possibly infertile? please help us?
Has anyone had or no of any experiences like this. When my fiance was 6 he had cancer that affected his kidney, he had his left kidney removed and had chemo to get rid of it. He is now 28 and has been cancer clear for many years. However he was told when he was 6 that he may be infertile due to the chemo, however his mother dosen’t remember hearing this, just him. We havent used any kind of protection for atleast 1.5 years now and no pregnancy. However I don’t think we were doing it around my ovulation days very much. For the past 2 months we have been TTC, with no luck. I have asked him to get his sperm checked, and he will but he dosen’t want to. He is the biggest family man, and the most amazing, loving guy ever, and his dream is to have his own children so he is very scared to hear negative results… it will literally break his heart.
so my quesations are:
1.) In his case is infertility usually caused by his cancer/chemo?
2.) We live in Nova Scotia, Canada can the dr do the sperm check on him or does he have to go to a fertility place and pay to find out?
3.) Should we try a bit longer before he go’s to get tested as its really only been 1-2 months TTC with no luck? except for the year or so without charting or hitting the right days
Any input would be greatly appreciated as this is so hard for us both, I will stand behind him 100% even if he is infertile, however it would be great if we could concieve our own children naturally.
Thank You 
It is possible, but definitely not certain, that his cancer treatment caused him infertility. I couldn’t find stats on males, but I did find a stat online that said 20% of female cancer survivors experience infertility.
There is a good chance nothing is wrong, and it’s just taking some time getting PG. There is also a chance he may have sperm issues, to which there are fertility treatments to overcome that. Now even if he has a sperm analysis done and is told he is sterile (which is unlikely), there are treatments such as testicluar sperm extraction (where they go into the testes to find even just one sperm, which they then inject into one of your eggs, and can then do IVF).
Definitely have him checked out since it is way easier and less invasive then having yourself checked out!
Also, 2 months of ttc is NOT long at all!!! Still, I would get his sperm checked just for a peace of mind, knowing he did go through cancer treatment. And if he’s in the clear, then you don’t have to worry anymore. And if there are issues, then you guys don’t waste valuable time you could be pursuing treatments, know what I mean!
I’m not sure about Nova Scotia policies, I live in the States.
Wishing you the best of luck!!!
It is very possible that he is infertile. His dotor can run some tests but that doesn’t mean he will know. Your fiance may be recommended to a speacialist. You see that alot of times with victims of childhood cancer and it really breaks my heart. I do hope everything is okay for you!
def. have him get checked and get yourself checked too so he dosent feel so alone. if he remembers this then its prob. right. i really wish you 2 the best of luck =) god bless.