Empowering fertility choices: Preservation options for young women battling breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women of reproductive age, with more than 10% of new cases diagnosed in women younger than the age of 40 years. Preserving fertility is a significant concern for young breast cancer patients planning to undergo multimodal treatments, including gonadotoxic chemotherapy and, potentially, long-term endocrine therapy that may exacerbate age-related fertility decline. Most breast cancer patients receive multimodal therapies, which often cause numerous short- and long-term side effects. Among the most impactful is reduced fertility due to gonadotoxic treatments, which can lead to considerable psychosocial stress. Fertility concerns among young cancer patients have an important role in determining quality of life. At the time diagnosis, about half of young women are concerned about becoming infertile or having reduced reproductive function after BC treatment. Current fertility preservation options for these patients include cryopreservation of oocytes, embryos, and ovarian tissue. Additional strategies, such as in vitro maturation or gonadotropin- releasing hormone agonists, may also be considered. The aim of this systematic review will be to analyze the fertility cryopreservation options, the IVF protocols that those women have medical risks and risks to off springs. Furthermore, the study intends to demonstrate the importance of valid information and psychological support of women with breast cancer. Last but not least, it will be analyzed the effectiveness of in vitro fertilization and pre implantation genetic testing to prevent transmission of BRCA1/2 mutations to second-generation. Effective communication with patients is vital during the decision-making process for fertility preservation. Timely referral to fertility specialists for personalized treatment is essential to achieve favorable outcomes. This requires a collaborative, team-based approach and thorough discussions about breast cancer treatment and fertility preservation.