Survivorship Center

Survivorship Center: Support

Learning that your cancer treatment may affect or has affected your fertility can be distressing. Options exist to preserve fertility by sperm banking or collecting eggs before treatment. However, not all patients want or will be able to do this. In coping with your diagnosis and treatment, and the possibility that you may not be able to have a child naturally, remember that you are not alone.

Speak with your doctor or nurse about your concerns. Social workers can provide support, and a clinical nurse specialist can explain the options available for you to become a parent. In addition, our Resources for Life After Cancer program provides a number of support services, including short-term individual and couples counseling as well as educational programs and support groups for young adults. For more information call 646-888-4740.

In addition, below are selected websites that you may find helpful. Besides information, many of these offer bulletin boards, chat rooms, blogs, online support groups, or even one-on-one support.

For People With Fertility Problems

American Fertility Association

Provides information and support on family building
Lists support resources, blogs, webinars, and events on the “Online Community” pages
Lists therapists who specialize in fertility issues
Call the hotline at 888-917-3777 for information about supportive resources

Provides information and support to men and women dealing with infertility
Lists resources on the “Support and Services” pages

For People With Cancer

Cancer Care

Provides free professional support services (counseling and support groups) to people affected by cancer
Has a Young Adult Program

Imerman Angels

Provides one-on-one support by connecting individual patients with someone who has had the same type of cancer

Livestrong (Lance Armstrong Foundation)

Dedicated to uniting, inspiring, and empowering people affected by cancer
Provides one-on-one support and information on emotional effects of cancer
Offers Podcast Series for Young Adults

For Women With Breast Cancer

Provides support for young Jewish women with breast cancer
Search “programs and services”

Young Survival Coalition

Community of breast cancer patients 40 years of age and younger
Hosts group events around the country
Includes bulletin boards on a number of topics, including fertility and menopause

For Orthodox Jewish Women

Puah Institute

affected

Individuals in a pedigree who exhibit the specific phenotype under study.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

breast (brest)

Glandular organ located on the chest. The breast is made up of connective tissue, fat, and breast tissue that contains the glands that can make milk. Also called mammary gland.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)

Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

counseling (KOWN-suh-ling)

The process by which a professional counselor helps a person cope with mental or emotional distress, and understand and solve personal problems.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

diagnosis (DY-ug-NOH-sis)

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

fertility (fer-TIH-lih-tee)

The ability to produce children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

nurse (nurs)

A health professional trained to care for people who are ill or disabled.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

specialist (SPEH-shuh-list)

In medicine, a doctor or other health care professional who is trained and licensed in a special area of practice. Examples of medical specialists include oncologists (cancer specialists) and hematologists (blood specialists).

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

sperm (spurm)

The male reproductive cell, formed in the testicle. A sperm unites with an egg to form an embryo.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

will (wil)

A legal document in which a person states what is to be done with his or her property after death, who is to carry out the terms of the will, and who is to care for any minor children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)