There are many myths and mistruths out there when it comes to cancer and fertility, so we thought we would take a minute to clear the air a bit. Below are some of the more frequently asked questions that we get in a fertility preservation consult.

A diagnosis of cancer brings with it a mountain of brand new information, as well as plenty of choices that need to be made. This can easily become overwhelming and difficult.

Each year, 70,000 women who might want to have children one day are diagnosed with cancer. Most of these women will go on to live healthy and happy lives for years to come. However, cancer treatment (like surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation) can cost a women her chance to have children later on, if she doesn’t prepare beforehand.

If so, there is a chance that you have younger women in your family. Have you thought about how to approach the subject of breast cancer risk with them? Women are at a higher risk for breast cancer diagnosis at a young age if they have a close family member who was also diagnosed at an early age, or if they have changes to certain genes that can cause breast cancer.

Right after I started working with young women fighting breast cancer, I was talking to a woman I know, though not very well, in Los Angeles. I had contacted her to see if she would attending a non-work event I was organizing, and she said she couldn’t because she was being treated for breast cancer.

It sucks to receive a diagnosis of cancer. And while this can be terrible news, it can also be a relief to know what is wrong within your own body. After the seemingly endless scans, biopsies, surgeries, chemo, and radiation, you may feel sick and tired of this barrage of tests. But what about the thing that comes next? Now that you’ve been through all that, and come out on the other side, it might be time to catch your breath and think about what you want to do for the rest of your life.

Summer is here in full blast. The longer days mean you have a chance to relax a bit, or enjoy some outside time when the day is almost done (and when the temperature may be somewhat cooler!) Summer also means all those delicious fruits that are usually most abundant and tastiest at this time of year…. fruits like peaches, papaya, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe) berries (strawberries, blueberries) and many more. Even better is if it is quick and easy to prepare with ingredients you probably have on hand, or at least have a good substitute. For the 4th of July, we are going to try this Zesty Watermelon. You can be sure there will be no leftovers!