Survival is the priority, but teenage cancer patients and those treating them should still think about life after the disease. Experts warn that teenage cancer patients are not getting enough information about their future fertility, putting at risk their chances of becoming parents.

Fertility specialist Valerie Peddie told the Royal College Nursing’s International Centenary Conference that at times future fertility issues are not taken into account when planning care.

“Deciding whether to have children is a central part of many lives, and no one should be denied this opportunity because they were unaware of their options”, Peddie said.

“Teenage patients are unlikely to have even considered their future fertility or know it could be impacted by their cancer treatment, therefore it is essential that these issues are raised and discussed by health care staff”, she added.