Canopy Cancer Care Talk About The Challenges of Fertility With Cancer

Craig was only 32 when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and was told he wouldn’t be able to have any children, as the cancer would make him infertile. Fertility can be a really important when considering treatments; something to ask your oncologist about straight away.

Craig says that being told he would never have children came as a big shock at the time, and became more of a dominating factor than the actual cancer. Craig and his partner were told to get a sperm sample. Luckily for Craig, he says that having cancer made him more positive and reflective, and became determined that he would have children, no matter the diagnosis.

As he says, you definitely have your highs and lows on the cancer journey, and he surprised himself as he never thought he could summon up so much positivity in the situation he found himself in. He also says that cancer shouldn’t be a barrier to having children. Fertility should be seen as a separate issue from the cancer and, as Craig puts it, “Just crack on and get the help you need.”

Regarding the actual process of delivering the sperm, Craig says you need a bit of a sense of humour, and you definitely can’t be shy about it – if it has to be done, then just get it done. It’s for your legacy, its for your future is what Craig says. He feels very blessed and lucky to have two lovely children through the fertility treatment he went through, and from the ramifications of having radio therapy.

Canopy Cancer Care is a leading private clinic for adult cancer patients, and their team specialise in the care of patients requiring cancer treatment, with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody therapy, hormone therapy and more targeted therapies, so for more information on oncology Auckland, chemotherapy NZ and functional oncology please go to https://www.canopycancercare.co.nz .