Motherhood After Gynecologic Cancer: Is Surrogacy the Answer?

Motherhood is a cherished dream for many women, but sometimes life throws curveballs, and for some, gynecologic cancer becomes an unexpected obstacle in their path to motherhood. With the right information and support, there are ways to navigate around these challenges.

Gynecologic cancer is a group of cancers affecting a woman’s reproductive organs, including the cervix, ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina. Thanks to medical advancements, survival rates have improved, but these cancers can still significantly impact fertility.

Exploring surrogacy is an option that can offer hope and a chance to experience motherhood despite the hurdles.

Types of gynecologic cancer

Gynecologic cancer can be found in different areas of the reproductive system, and being aware of the different types can help you to understand their potential effects on fertility.

• Cervical Cancer: This cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus connected to the vagina. Often linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), regular Pap smears can detect it.
• Ovarian Cancer: Originating in the ovaries, this cancer is a silent threat, often going undetected in its early stages, making it a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.
• Uterine Cancer: Also known as endometrial cancer, this cancer affects the uterus’s lining. It’s the most common gynecologic cancer, with symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.
• Fallopian Tube Cancer: A rare type, this starts in the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus. Its subtle symptoms often lead to late diagnosis.
• Vaginal Cancer: This type of cancer develops in the vagina’s cells and is relatively rare, mostly affecting women over 60.

How gynecologic cancer affects fertility

The impact of gynecologic cancer on fertility depends on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the treatment plan, and the woman’s age. Common treatments and their effects include:

• Surgery is often the primary treatment for gynecologic cancer. In many cases, this involves the removal of reproductive organs like the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, which can result in infertility.
• Radiation therapy targets and destroys cancer cells. Unfortunately, it can also damage nearby reproductive organs, leading to fertility issues.
• Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells, but it can also harm healthy cells, including the eggs in a woman’s ovaries, potentially causing early menopause or infertility.
• Hormone therapy is sometimes used to treat certain types of gynecologic cancer, but it can interfere with the hormonal balance needed for fertility and reproductive health.

Egg Freezing for Women with Cancer

Before undergoing cancer treatments, some women may opt to freeze their eggs, preserving their fertility for the future. This process involves retrieving and storing a woman’s eggs, allowing them to be fertilized and implanted at a later date, post-recovery.

This process, known as oocyte cryopreservation, involves several steps:

1. Ovarian Stimulation: Initially, the woman undergoes hormone injections for about 10-14 days to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.
2. Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs mature, a minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve them. This is typically done under sedation and involves using an ultrasound-guided needle to extract the eggs from the ovaries.
3. Freezing: Immediately after retrieval, the eggs are cooled to sub-zero temperatures using a process called vitrification. This rapid freezing method minimizes the formation of ice crystals, ensuring the eggs remain intact and viable.
4. Storage: The vitrified eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen tanks in a specialized facility. They can remain frozen for years without significant degradation in quality.

Once a woman is ready to start her family, post-recovery, these frozen eggs can be thawed and fertilized with sperm, then used in various fertility treatments, including IVF and gestational surrogacy.

Using an Egg Donor after Gynecologic Cancer

For some women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer, the rapid progression of the disease or the immediate need for aggressive treatments may mean that egg freezing isn’t a viable option. In these cases, the window of opportunity to preserve her own eggs might be too narrow. This can be a difficult realization, and may feel like the door to biological motherhood is closing. However, it’s essential to understand that other avenues remain open. One path is using an egg donor.

The process of using an egg donor involves selecting a donor whose eggs will be retrieved, fertilized, and then implanted in the intended mother or a surrogate, depending on the individual’s health circumstances. When choosing an egg donor, it’s crucial to understand all of your options. There are fresh and frozen donor eggs and egg donors can be accessed through clinic programs, egg donor agencies or egg banks. It is important to select a reputable egg donor program to ensure the quality and health of the donated eggs. Frozen donor eggs make it possible for more families to access donor egg IVF since intended parents can choose when the time is right for them rather than trying to coordinate with the donor, and they are more affordable.

Using an egg bank like Fairfax EggBank ensures a guaranteed number of eggs and an embryo development guarantee. They are known for rigorous donor screening and high-quality standards. By partnering with organizations that provide a selection of pre-screened, FDA-compliant donors, women can be assured of the safety and success rates of the procedure, allowing them to look forward to the joys of motherhood, even after the challenges posed by cancer.

Exploring surrogacy as an option

For women who have undergone treatment for gynecologic cancer and are left unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term, surrogacy can be a promising path to motherhood. Surrogacy involves a woman (the surrogate) carrying a pregnancy for another individual or couple (the intended parents).

There are two main types of surrogacy: traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy. In traditional Surrogacy, the surrogate’s eggs are used in traditional surrogacy, making her the child’s biological mother. This method is less common today due to the legal and emotional complexities.

Gestational surrogacy is much more common than traditional surrogacy. In gestational surrogacy, the surrogate has no genetic connection to the child because the embryo is created using either the intended mother’s eggs or a donor’s eggs. The embryo is then implanted in the surrogate’s uterus, and she carries the pregnancy to term.

Gestational surrogacy offers a wonderful solution for women who have undergone treatment for cancer and cannot carry a pregnancy due to the removal of their uterus or other reproductive organs, allowing them to have a biological child despite their fertility challenges.

Gynecologic cancer awareness and support

Gynecologic cancer awareness is crucial for early detection and improved outcomes. Regular screenings can lead to early detection, increasing the chances of successful treatment and preserving fertility options.

Support systems play a vital role in the journey of women facing gynecologic cancer. Patients and survivors benefit greatly from emotional and informational support from loved ones, cancer support groups, and healthcare professionals. These support systems can provide valuable insights into fertility preservation options before cancer treatment and address the emotional toll the diagnosis and treatment process can take.

Key Resources for Support:

1. CancerCare: This organization provides information and resources specifically about cervical cancer. They also offer free support groups led by oncology social workers.
2. American Cancer Society: They offer a variety of programs and services to assist individuals during and after cancer treatment.
3. OCRA: The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance provides online support groups for patients, survivors, and others affected by ovarian cancer. They also provide a woman-to-woman peer mentorship program and a patient support line.
4. Foundation For Women’s Cancer: This foundation is dedicated to educating communities, accelerating research, and eradicating gynecologic cancers. They offer a range of resources and support services for patients and survivors.
5. Support Connection: This organization provides breast and ovarian cancer support services. They assist individuals in navigating the challenges a cancer diagnosis can bring, offering answers and resources tailored to individual needs.

Through awareness, early detection, and support, women can navigate their journey after gynecologic cancer with resilience and determination, finding alternative paths to motherhood and experiencing the joys of raising a child, regardless of the obstacles they may have faced.

Looking forward to the future

Facing gynecologic cancer can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road for your motherhood dreams. With medical advancements like egg freezing and options such as IVF and surrogacy, there’s hope on the horizon. If you’re navigating this journey and considering surrogacy, Fairfax Surrogacy is here to guide and support you. Reach out to us, and let’s explore the possibilities together.