Many treatments for cancer can impact on your ability to have children in the future. It is important to discuss your plans for this with your health care providers as soon as possible. There are services available to preserve fertility, but you have to act quickly and before treatment starts.

Heartland Fertility Clinic in Winnipeg provides a variety of fertility services including sperm banking and embryo preservation. Call (204) 779-8888 or visit www.heartlandfertility.mb.ca.

There are costs involved that are not covered by Manitoba Health. You may be eligible for financial assistance provided by the Power of Hope Cost Reduction Program. Find out more about this program and about fertility and cancer by visiting Fertile Future at www.fertilefuture.ca.

Certain cancer treatments are more likely to lead to infertility than others. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery may all result in infertility, depending on the type, dose, length, frequency, or location of treatment. Talk to your oncologist to determine the likelihood of infertility associated with your course of treatment.

For more information, you can also contact Dr Anne Katz (787 4495), CancerCare Manitoba sexuality counsellor.