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Cancer Survivor Faces £8k Bill for Fertility
18 Aug
Summary
- Erin Lavery, 23, needs £8,000 for fertility treatment post-cancer.
- NHS egg preservation was too late due to immediate treatment needs.
- She campaigns for better access to fertility services for cancer survivors.
At 21, Erin Lavery was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma, a life-altering event that led to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Due to a delayed diagnosis, her cancer treatment commenced before she could access NHS-funded egg preservation, a process that typically takes up to three weeks. This meant Erin, now 23 and cancer-free, faced a significant risk to her future fertility.
Tests confirmed her fertility had been heavily impacted, necessitating a costly decision for post-cancer fertility treatment. Erin requires two cycles of egg preservation, costing £8,000, which she must fund herself as the NHS does not cover it post-treatment. This financial burden adds to the stress of her cancer journey.
Erin has become an advocate, campaigning for greater availability of NHS egg preservation for young women who have undergone cancer treatment. She shared her experience on TikTok, sparking widespread reaction and highlighting the urgent need for policy review regarding fertility services for cancer survivors. The Scottish government has expressed sympathy and plans to review fertility services.
