A hereditary cancer diagnosis can change more than how you think about cancer prevention. It can suddenly put a timeline on decisions about fertility, family planning, and risk-reducing surgery that you may not have been ready to make yet.
In Episode 4 of our Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month series, we’re talking about the intersection of hereditary ovarian cancer risk and fertility.
What actually happens to your fertility if you remove your fallopian tubes but keep your ovaries? What changes when the ovaries are removed? And if risk-reducing surgery is part of your future, what options might be worth discussing before that day arrives?
We break down fertility preservation, egg and embryo freezing, IVF, PGT-M (preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic conditions), donor eggs and embryos, surrogacy, and why having these conversations early can matter.
But this isn't only about the medical options.
It's also about what it feels like when cancer prevention puts a timeline on family-building decisions that used to feel like they belonged entirely to you.
Whether you know you want children, already have the family you want, don't want children, or simply aren't sure yet, the goal of this episode isn't to tell you what to choose. It's to help you understand the conversations you may want to have with your medical team before making decisions that can permanently affect your fertility.
Resources mentioned & additional information:
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
Hereditary cancer, fertility and assisted reproductive technology, including fertility resources specifically for people with inherited cancer mutations.
Hereditary Cancer & Assisted Reproductive Technology — FORCE
FORCE: Questions to Ask Your Doctor
A helpful checklist for people with BRCA1, BRCA2 or another inherited mutation associated with ovarian cancer risk, including questions about fertility preservation and timing of risk-reducing surgery.
Questions for People With a Mutation Linked to Ovarian Cancer Risk — FORCE
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
Evidence-based guidance and patient resources on fertility preservation, reproductive medicine and fertility care for people facing treatments or surgeries that may affect fertility.
ASRM Practice Guidance & Fertility Resources
ASRM: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-M)
Information and professional guidance on PGT-M, including its use for hereditary cancer predisposition syndromes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
If risk-reducing surgery is part of your future and fertility matters to you, even if you're not sure what you want yet, consider asking your care team whether meeting with a reproductive endocrinologist and genetic counselor should be part of the conversation.
This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Recommendations around fertility preservation and risk-reducing surgery depend on your specific genetic mutation, age, medical history, family history, and personal goals.
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