Radiation and Fertility
Fertility ailments plague thousands of couples and women yearly. A recent study published in the Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, says that radiation therapy directed at the ovaries for female cancer patients may adversely affect fertility. This study is suggesting that there is a direct relationship between infertility and such treatments, thus if possible they should be avoided.
Science Daily said, "Radiation therapy to the pelvic region can cause ovarian failure or result in damage that makes the uterus unable to accommodate the growth of a fetus. These effects are not a great concern to cancer patients past their reproductive years, but due to the growing number of pediatric and young-adult cancer survivors, these effects are increasingly relevant."
The study also went on to say that though direct treatment has the most common causes of negative effects, even treatment not spot-on the ovaries can still induce fertility issues. However, the reason for this study was done to target younger women of fertility age, and the study is still fairly preliminary.
Posted by Tala on 4/2/2009 4:44:36 PM
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