# Fertility in early breast cancer patients: integrating reproductive planning into oncology care

**Authors:** Antonella Turla, Anna Bellicini, Daniele Spada, Marcella Mandruzzato

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1695667 · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2026-01-05

## TL;DR

This paper discusses the importance of fertility planning for young breast cancer patients and highlights the need for timely counseling and available preservation options.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes integrating reproductive planning into oncology care and summarizes current guidelines and FP treatments.

## Key findings

- FP uptake remains low despite strong recommendations, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary counseling.
- Pregnancy can be considered after treatment for hormone receptor-positive and BRCA mutation-positive patients.
- Available FP methods include embryo/oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, and GnRHa.

## Abstract

Fertility preservation (FP) and adequate counseling are crucial for young breast cancer patients in the early setting. We provide a brief summary of FP in young breast cancer patients, including current international guidelines, available FP treatments, and the safety of pregnancy. This review explores embryo/oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa), along with evidence on temporary endocrine therapy interruption to attempt pregnancy. Despite strong recommendations, FP uptake remains low, underscoring the need for timely multidisciplinary counseling. Literature data underline that pregnancy can be considered after treatment, even for hormone receptor-positive and BRCA mutation-positive patients. Reproductive planning should be integrated into the oncologic treatment, balancing oncologic priorities with patients’ reproductive desires.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** Brca2 (BRCA2, DNA repair associated) [NCBI Gene 37916]
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MONDO:0004989)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** BRCA1 (BRCA1 DNA repair associated) [NCBI Gene 672] {aka BRCAI, BRCC1, BROVCA1, FANCS, IRIS, PNCA4}
- **Diseases:** breast cancer (MESH:D001943)
- **Chemicals:** GnRHa (-)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12812656/full.md

## References

67 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12812656/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12812656