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Women with cancer are being denied the chance of motherhood, doctors warned today.
Patients can now freeze their eggs which stops chemotherapy destroying their fertility.
But a study at Barts and the London shows many are told about fertility "preservation" too late.
Two out of five women offered the treatment turn it down because they do not have enough time before their cancer treatment.
Experts from the hospital's fertility unit called on doctors to tell women at diagnosis they could store their eggs.
Dr Talha Al-Shawaf said patients were often referred to him after chemotherapy when their options were limited.
The consultant gynaecologist said: "Women must be told about preserving their fertility as soon as they are diagnosed. I've seen women who have had chemo asking me what I can do. But at that stage the chance of preservation becomes quite low.
"The fact is survival rates from breast cancer are good so there is no reason why they shouldn't have a future which includes motherhood."
