Researchers try to help ovarian cancer survivors have children

2023-10-11 14:20:00

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are trying to help ovarian cancer survivors have children following treatment.

The latter are trying to set up a research program on cryobiology. This technique involves preserving ovarian tissue at temperatures below normal.

University of Saskatchewan biology assistant professor James Benson explains that for many women and almost all girls who suffer from cancer, treatments have a significant impact on their reproductive health.

For women, there are other possible options. We can freeze their eggs, we can produce eggs, turn them into embryos and freeze those embryos. But, for young girls, there are no options to preserve their fertility.

Focus on biological samples

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation aims to collect and preserve samples of cancer-free tissue before the patient’s ovaries are damaged by treatments such as chemotherapy, according to a release from the University of Saskatchewan. , radiotherapy and surgery.

The tissue can be re-implanted following the cancer is cured, allowing the girl to have a childspecifies the press release.

James Benson says in Saskatchewan there is no provincial ovarian tissue cryopreservation program. There is also little funding for egg freezing.

James Benson believes there will be legal and bureaucratic hurdles to overcome before this program sees the light of day.

The research team claims that it has the techniques and expertise necessary to carry out this type of treatment, but that it is seeking funding to hire staff and purchase the necessary materials.

Kryst Hawryluk is a teacher in Prince Albert. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 and wants this program to see the light of day in the province.

When I was young, I always wanted to have my own children. It was one of my big dreams. Having this dream taken away from me and having cancer at the same time was very difficult to deal withraconte Kryst Hawryluk.

With information from Leisha Grebinski

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