Paying to preserve eggs: Fertility issues for cancer patients focus of weekend clinic

An information session Sunday in St. John's is raising awareness and money to help cancer patients whose treatment can make it impossible to have children.

"I would say probably 10 to 15 per cent of my patient population is under the age of 40," said Dr. Erin Powell, an oncologist at the H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre.

I think one of the things that we do is offer them a form of hope ... thinking years and years out when they are ready to have kids.- Dr. Deanna Murphy

She says when women come to see her, "weeks have passed since their diagnosis, and that's precious time for fertility preservation techniques."

Dr. Deanna Murphy, a fertility specialist in St. John's, says she typically gets five to 10 referrals a year.

"Unfortunately they have to travel out of province to undergo the procedure," she said. "They undergo in-vitro fertilization to freeze eggs. For males we do freeze sperm here because that's a much less invasive process."

Many women are either too sick, or can't leave the province, but knowing the options early is important, Murphy said.

"A lot of patients when they come to see us are quite overwhelmed with the new diagnosis of cancer. A lot of them are quite young … So wrapping their head around all the treatments that they have to go through can be quite difficult," she said.

"I think one of the things that we do if offer them a form of hope … thinking years and years out when they are ready to have kids."

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Measures have to be taken before chemotherapy starts, Powell explained. Chemotherapy often has to start within a week of her seeing a patient. "One of the reasons why we're doing the event is to raise awareness," she said.

Procedures for fertility preservation can take four to six weeks, including travel out of province, "so the time is really critical." 

Murphy said most of the uptake has been with breast cancer patients, who may have a little more time to make arrangements.

The doctors say cost is also a factor — a round of in-vitro treatment can cost $7,500 to $10,000, although insurance can offset the cost of medication.

That's why the Sunday event is also a fundraiser.

Sandy Bennett, owner of EmpowHer Fitness, said the two-hour session will combine a workout program with information sessions and there is room for about 70 participants.

It starts at 10 a.m. at the Rocket Room on Water Street.