The Fertility Conversation Every Woman Needs Before Breast Cancer Treatment with Dr. Ann Partridge, Breast Oncologist and Young Adult Cancer Specialist

For many young women diagnosed with breast cancer, some of the most important decisions they will ever make happen within days of hearing the words, "You have cancer." While treatment planning begins immediately, patients may also be faced with urgent questions about fertility, future family-building, and preserving options they may not have expected to think about so soon. These conversations often happen during a period of fear, uncertainty, and information overload, leaving many patients feeling overwhelmed and unprepared. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ann Partridge, Vice Chair of Medical Oncology and Chief Clinical Strategy Officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she also serves as co-founder and director of the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer. A professor at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Partridge is a leading breast oncologist and researcher whose work focuses on improving care and outcomes for young adults with breast cancer. Together, we discuss how breast cancer treatment can affect fertility, why these conversations need to happen early, the options available today, and how patients can make informed decisions while balancing the urgency of cancer treatment with hopes and plans for the future. We also reinforce the hopeful message that having children after breast cancer is often possible - and that preserving future options begins with having the right conversations early. Most importantly, this episode is a reminder that patients deserve information, support, and compassionate guidance when facing life-changing decisions at diagnosis. Resources Mentioned in This Episode For additional information and support, visit the Young and Strong Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which offers resources and practical guides for young adults with breast cancer, including those who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, or in survivorship, as well as caregivers. The program also provides trusted information about fertility preservation, pregnancy after breast cancer, and breastfeeding. The information shared on Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding your individual medical care and treatment decisions. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cancer Fashionista. Thank you to Daiichi Sankyo and Novartis for making this episode of the Signature Series possible.