{"id":954,"date":"2023-05-16T13:34:57","date_gmt":"2023-05-16T20:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/?p=954"},"modified":"2023-08-15T12:51:18","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T19:51:18","slug":"surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/","title":{"rendered":"Surrogacy for Cancer Survivors"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_66_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/#Infertility_after_treatment_surrogacy_for_cancer_survivors\" title=\"Infertility after treatment: surrogacy for cancer survivors\">Infertility after treatment: surrogacy for cancer survivors<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/#Egg_Freezing\" title=\"Egg Freezing\">Egg Freezing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/#Ovarian_Tissue_Freezing\" title=\"Ovarian Tissue Freezing\">Ovarian Tissue Freezing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/#Embryo_freezing\" title=\"Embryo freezing\">Embryo freezing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/#Sperm_banking\" title=\"Sperm banking\">Sperm banking<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-cancer-survivors\/#Surrogacy_for_Fertility_Preservation\" title=\"Surrogacy for Fertility Preservation \">Surrogacy for Fertility Preservation <\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Infertility_after_treatment_surrogacy_for_cancer_survivors\"><\/span><strong>Infertility after treatment: surrogacy for cancer survivors<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p>Women that have recently been diagnosed with cancer often consider egg freezing also called oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian tissue freezing, or creating <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/alabama-ruling-on-embryos\/\">embryos<\/a> before treatment begins. For men, sperm banking is done prior to undergoing chemotherapy or radiation as these procedures can damage sperm production or lead to <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-for-women-with-infertility\/\">infertility<\/a>. \u00a0If you know you want to have biological children in the future, storing eggs, ovarian tissue, sperm, or embryos can enable you to become a parent after your cancer treatment ends. With cancer, however, timing is key, so you\u2019ll want to discuss your fertility plans with your oncologist before delaying treatment.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Egg_Freezing\"><\/span><strong>Egg Freezing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>There are some things to consider as you ponder freezing your eggs before beginning your cancer treatment:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Consult with a board-certified physician who deals with reproductive endocrinology and infertility that has direct experience working with cancer patients. Fertility specialists can provide you with the best approach given your specific cancer treatment plan.<\/li>\r\n<li>Consider the urgency of beginning your cancer treatment. Depending on when treatment needs to start, you may need to expedite egg freezing. Tell your oncologist about your family-planning concerns and make sure he\/she is on board with the schedule.<\/li>\r\n<li>Before beginning <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-process\/\">the process<\/a> of egg freezing, a fertility specialist will need to perform tests to ascertain the potential viability of your eggs. He\/she will factor in age, health, and hormone levels to determine the expected quality and quantity of your eggs. If it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ll have success with egg freezing, he\/she may suggest using an egg donor for future family-building.<\/li>\r\n<li>Egg freezing can be expensive as the process includes <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-myth-experimental-medications\/\">medications<\/a>, a surgical procedure, and cryopreservation storage fees. Private <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-insurance-options\/\">insurance<\/a> may not cover all or any of the costs.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ovarian_Tissue_Freezing\"><\/span><strong>Ovarian Tissue Freezing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7148200\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ovarian tissue cryopreservation<\/a> is a completely different Assisted Reproduction Technology approach. With ovarian tissue freezing, a portion of an ovary is removed and frozen for future replantation after cancer treatment has concluded. The advantage of this technique, just recently moved outside of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7148200\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u201cexperimental\u201d procedure status by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine,<\/a> is that it preserves natural fertility as well as a woman\u2019s ability to make important reproductive hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.<\/p>\r\n<p>The first successful use of this technique occurred in 2000, with <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-success-rates\/\">success rates<\/a> increasing over the last 2 decades. If you decide to use frozen ovarian tissue cryopreservation, once you are ready to become a mom, the stored tissue is implanted back into your body via a transplantation procedure. If all goes well, the replanted tissue will function again and produce hormones and eggs.<\/p>\r\n<p>When considering egg freezing vs. ovarian tissue freezing, consult with a qualified fertility specialist that has experience guiding cancer patients. Your age, type of cancer, and cancer treatment plan may help determine whether egg freezing or ovarian tissue freezing is the best option for you.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Embryo_freezing\"><\/span><strong>Embryo freezing<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Folks with long-term partners or spouses often consider creating embryos prior to the commencement of their cancer treatment. Embryos are created using a technology that has been evolving almost 40 years, <a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/007279.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In vitro fertilization (IVF).<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>You will need to discuss all of your options with a board-certified fertility specialist to identify the best fertility preservation method available to you.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sperm_banking\"><\/span><strong>Sperm banking<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Sperm cryopreservation is a popular method of preserving future fertility in men before they undergo cancer treatment. It\u2019s a fairly straightforward process: a semen sample is obtained, placed into a sterile container, and then frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen. The collected sperm is then analyzed for motility, morphology, and overall count. Depending on the results, <a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/treatments\/22456-iui-intrauterine-insemination\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">intrauterine insemination (IUI)<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/007279.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In vitro fertilization (IVF)<\/a> may be used to <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/rise-of-the-single-dad\/\">father<\/a> future children.<\/p>\r\n<p>Because sperm can be stored indefinitely at a sperm bank or a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/finding-a-surrogacy-clinic\/\">fertility clinic<\/a>, it\u2019s a popular option for many men regardless of their age. To find out if sperm banking is the right step towards preserving future fertility, speak to a qualified fertility specialist.<\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Surrogacy_for_Fertility_Preservation\"><\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1408 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without the expensive surrogacy fees. Signup with Surrogacy Place today.\" width=\"719\" height=\"374\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg 719w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1-300x156.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 719px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 719\/374;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1408\" src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without the expensive surrogacy fees. Signup with Surrogacy Place today.\" width=\"719\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1.jpg 719w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad1-300x156.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a>Surrogacy for Fertility Preservation <\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p>Surrogacy can be a viable and desired option for cancer survivors that are no longer able to carry a <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-pregnancy\/\">pregnancy<\/a> because of the side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Depending on the type of cancer, reproductive organs may be removed or damaged. Parenthood is still possible, however, regardless of the toll cancer treatments have taken. This is true even if you were not able to store eggs\/sperm\/embryos prior to treatment. Donor eggs\/sperm\/embryos are widely available and a fertility specialist is a great resource for learning more.<\/p>\r\n<p>Cancer can rob patients of hope, happiness, time, and normalcy, but it doesn\u2019t have to shatter your dreams of parenthood. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/survivorship\/long-term-health-concerns\/fertility-assistance.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Many cancer survivors turn to surrogacy<\/a> when they can no longer carry or when it is no longer safe to become pregnant.<\/p>\r\n<p>In surrogacy, a healthy woman will carry a pregnancy on your behalf. She will become pregnant using gametes from one or more parent or from a fully donated embryo. Under <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/gestational-surrogate\/\">gestational surrogacy<\/a>, the surrogate is not the <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogate-mother\/\">mother<\/a> to the child she carries; she becomes pregnant via an embryo implantation procedure. This is why <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/traditional-surrogacy-vs-gestational-surrogacy\/\">gestational surrogacy is generally more popular than traditional surrogacy<\/a> because parentage is inherently more complicated when the surrogate is the biological mother as is the case under <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/traditional-surrogacy-vs-gestational-surrogacy\/\">traditional surrogacy<\/a>. Both <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/types-of-surrogacy\/\">types of surrogacy<\/a> can be great options for cancer patients, however.<\/p>\r\n<p>If you\u2019re a cancer survivor who cannot carry a pregnancy, the first step would be to find a gestational or traditional carrier. Some will find that <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-with-a-family-member\/\">family<\/a> members or friends will step up and volunteer, others will need to <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/how-to-find-a-surrogate-mother\/\">find a surrogate<\/a> via a surrogacy matching process. Surrogate agencies are a costly way to match, while <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/independent-surrogacy-journey\/\">independent journeys can be a preferred option for many.<\/a> Surrogacy Place is a surrogacy <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-agency-alternatives\/\">self-matching<\/a> website; cancer survivors are <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\">welcomed to create profiles and start finding potential matches.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Once you find your surrogate, you\u2019ll need to have a Reproductive Endocrinologist examine her and provide his\/her medical stamp of approval. Following medical clearance, lawyers representing you and the surrogate (the surrogate must have her own attorney that Intended Parents pay for) will finalize a surrogacy agreement. In the final agreement, the responsibilities of each party are codified, including the agreed-upon <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-compensation\/\">surrogacy compensation<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Surrogacy is incredibly expensive. Many Intended Parents will dip into savings or retirement accounts, or take out home equity or personal loans. For a sense of the typical costs, please see this <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/how-much-does-surrogacy-cost\/\">surrogacy cost guide.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>The regulations surrounded surrogacy vary widely across the US and the world. It\u2019s important that you work with an experienced attorney. If you need help finding legal resources in the US, please visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/my.surrogacyplace.com\/attorney\/directory\">attorney directory page.<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>Do note that medical advancements and treatment options are constantly evolving. Always consult with a trusted reproductive medicine specialist to explore the available <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-and-assisted-fertility\/\">fertility options<\/a> and what might be best for your specific situation.<\/p>\r\n<p>Cancer survivors may find surrogacy to be an emotionally and financially draining process in unique ways. Many will want to seek <a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/surrogacy-support-groups\/\">support groups<\/a> as they navigate their fertility and parenthood options. Organizations like <a href=\"https:\/\/resolve.org\/take-action\/our-issues\/covering-fertility-preservation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Resolve<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/canceradvocacy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Association for Cancer Survivorship<\/a> are on the front lines of advocating for cancer survivors. Others will turn to friends, family, and mental health professionals. You will need a community for support and there are people like you who have been through both cancer and infertility and understand the journey.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1409 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without an agency - signup for Surrogacy Place's online surrogacy matching program now\" width=\"754\" height=\"203\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg 754w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2-300x81.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 754px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 754\/203;\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1409\" src=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg\" alt=\"surrogacy without an agency - signup for Surrogacy Place's online surrogacy matching program now\" width=\"754\" height=\"203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2.jpg 754w, https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/surrogacy-place-ad2-300x81.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 754px) 100vw, 754px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Infertility after treatment: surrogacy for cancer survivors Women that have recently been diagnosed with cancer often consider egg freezing also called oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian tissue&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":956,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,5,6],"tags":[119,19,25,118,31,116,115,117,114,49],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/954"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/956"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/surrogacyplace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}