It can be difficult to predict if cancer treatment will affect your fertility or if it will return to normal after treatment. Even if your chances of becoming infertile are low, you may be referred to a fertility doctor before treatment starts, and you may be advised to store (bank) sperm.
Freezing and storing sperm is a safe technique that has been successfully used for many years. There is no lower age limit for sperm banking, as long as you have reached puberty and are producing sperm.
Your sperm can then be used in the future to help you and a partner try to have a child. Your fertility doctor can discuss which fertility treatments may help in your situation.
Most fertility clinics will make sure that you are seen before cancer treatment starts. But some men don’t have time to store sperm as treatment needs to start straight away. Storing sperm after treatment starts is usually not advised. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can discuss this with you.
Some religions may not agree with certain fertility treatments. If this is an issue for you, you may want to discuss it with your partner, family or religious adviser. You can also talk in confidence with a trained counsellor or social worker.