Cancer itself can cause infertility. For example, some men with testicular cancer and Hodgkin’s disease have low sperm counts even before treatment starts. Cancer treatments can also cause infertility. Chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can all affect your reproductive system. In general, the higher the dose and the longer the treatment, the higher the chance for reproductive problems. Age, the type of drugs, the location of radiation and other factors can influence your risk. An option to preserve a man's potential to father his own children at some future time is to freeze, or to store, samples of sperm before cancer treatment begins.

Making the choice to bank sperm is very personal. If you are married or in a committed relationship, it is the best if your partner is involved in your decision. If you are under age 18, your parents should be included in the discussion. Unfortunately, a man often has to make up his mind quickly, at a time when he may be facing a serious illness. Please visit cancer patient storage section for frequently asked questions about sperm storage in cancer patients.