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Editor’s note: A significant minority (approximately 10%) of early-stage breast cancer occurs in women under the age of 45 years. Premature ovarian failure as a consequence of chemotherapy is obviously of enormous significance to this group and, as well as the obvious implications in terms of fertility, can have long-term effects in terms of bone health, cardiovascular health, and other debilitating side-effects. Observational studies have suggested that luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists might preserve ovarian function in premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy. These two studies concern the potential protective effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues in premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. Although ostensibly the conclusions of the studies are diametrically opposed, closer analysis reveals that their findings are consistent with each other and that some unifying conclusions can be derived.