Drug News
Chemo reduces fertility in breast cancer survivors
By Sue Mueller
May 31, 2008 - 8:46:41 AM

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SUNDAY May 31, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) -- Pre-menopausal breast cancer patients who want to have a baby or two might want to consider their treatment options carefully as chemotherapy following surgery may reduce their fertility, according to a study scheduled to be presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in Chicago.

The study by K. J. Ruddy and colleagues at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute showed four out of five tests indicating the soundness of a woman's ovarian reserve - the capacity of the ovaries to produce healthy eggs - were worse in breast cancer survivors than those who did not have the disease.

For the study, the researchers conducted five tests two, three or four days after a menstrual cycle in 20 breast cancer survivors and 20 women without breast cancer to assess the ovaries' physical condition, hormone levels and a molecule involved in the menstrual cycle.

The tests performed included antral follicle count (AFC) and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), anti- Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (InB) levels.

The researchers concluded "Premenopausal breast cancer survivors have diminished ovarian reserve compared to controls. The largest differences between survivors and controls were seen in AFC and AMH. These findings may have important implications for women who are interested in having children after cytotoxic chemotherapy. Prospective studies are needed to determine the predictive value of these tests for pregnancy after chemotherapy."