Erin Lavery was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma in August 2024 and underwent six months of chemotherapy followed by a month of radiotherapy. Due to the urgent nature of her cancer treatment, she was unable to pursue egg preservation before beginning therapy, a procedure that typically requires up to three weeks to complete through the NHS.
Following her recovery, tests approximately a year after completing cancer treatment confirmed that her fertility had been significantly affected. A specialist advised her that preserving eggs immediately was necessary if she wanted to have children in the future. However, because the preservation would occur after her cancer treatment rather than before, the NHS would not fund the procedure, leaving Lavery to cover the full cost of approximately £8,000. She indicated that multiple cycles would be required to obtain an adequate number of eggs for her purposes.
Lavery, a nail technician who spent two years away from work during her cancer treatment, describes the financial burden as an unexpected shock that has created significant stress. She notes the contrast between her situation and what might have occurred had her cancer been diagnosed earlier, which would have allowed time for NHS-funded preservation before treatment began.
Having documented her cancer journey on social media, Lavery has garnered substantial engagement from followers and received thousands of comments expressing surprise about the fertility preservation situation. She is now campaigning to raise awareness among young women about post-cancer fertility options and the gaps in available support. The Scottish government has indicated sympathy for her campaign and announced plans to conduct a review of fertility services, with Public Health Minister Maree Todd commending Lavery’s advocacy work on behalf of cancer survivors.
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