Washington, Nov 13 A new American study has found that fertility preservation may not delay treatment for breast cancer patients below the age of 40.

The research comes as a fresh lease of life to millions of women who until now believed they faced the risk of the impairment of their childbearing ability after surgical treatments or chemotherapy.

Irene Wapnir, MD, associate professor, department of surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, said: "The burden of facing premature menopause adds to the stress experienced by young cancer survivors,"

She added: "Fertility preservation through cryopreservation of eggs or fertilized oocytes may be an important measure to offset these concerns and promote emotional well-being. Our study shows that these procedures, when expedited and appropriately timed, do not delay cancer treatment."

Lynn Westphal, MD, associate professor, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, said: "Easy access and good communication among surgeons, medical oncologists and reproductive endocrinologists is critical."

The study has appeared in the November issue of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons. (ANI)