With the latest advancements in reproductive healthcare, fertility specialists have raised the hope for patients who want to have children after surviving cancer.
They offered oncofertility and fibroids treatment options at a two-day Abuja Reproductive Health Week organised by Nordica Fertility Centre in collaboration with the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nordica Centre, Dr Abayomi Ajayi, observed that the event provides a platform to interact on latest developments in reproductive health care, particularly fertility preservation, adding that with the increasing survival rates of childhood cancer patients, it has become imperative to address infertility caused by cancer treatments.
He also commended the FCTA for its support and emphasised the importance of the public-private partnership (PPP) approach in advancing healthcare delivery in the country.
Dr. Ajayi described the arrival of the High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) machine in the FCT as a welcome development.
The Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat, D. Adedolapo Fasawe, urged women diagnosed with fibroids to eschew fear, considering that modern fibroids treatments don’t require surgery.
Fasawe noted that apart from surviving cancer, patients can still have biological children through fertility preservation.
“Fibroid is a common disease in women. Now, there’s advanced care that doesn’t need surgery, complications, and blood transfusions. It is possible to go through cancer treatment and still bear children,” she said.
The guest speaker, Dr Ifeoluwa Oyetunji, called for increased awareness and access to fertility preservation services in the country.
Oyetunji, who is a consultant gynecologist and fertility expert at Nordica, emphasised the need to ensure that patients, especially those undergoing cancer treatment, receive timely information about their reproductive options.
She noted that fertility preservation is a game changer for cancer patients and career-driven individuals given the advancements in reproductive health technology.
“Fertility preservation is the process of saving eggs, sperm, or reproductive tissue so that individuals can use them later for biological children. While it’s not a new concept globally, it is gaining attention in Nigeria as more people become aware of their options.
“Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can significantly reduce reproductive potential. Many cancer survivors face reproductive challenges due to the effects. Early discussions on fertility preservation can help them make informed decisions and avoid regrets,” she said.
Oyetunji identified social freezing as an option for women who wish to delay childbearing due to career pursuits or the absence of a partner. “We see more women considering this option to secure their fertility for the future,” she said.
She highlighted improvements in preservation techniques, noting that vitrification—a method introduced in 1999 has enhanced success rates.
According to her, the recovery rate for preserved eggs and sperm has improved to over 95 per cent, offering better outcomes for those who choose this option.
She also observed that occupational and environmental factors can affect fertility, warning that prolonged exposure to petrochemical products could affect sperm quality. “We’ve seen cases where men working in certain industries develop fertility issues later in life,” Oyetunji added.
