On Friday, the Alabama Supreme Court issued an alarming ruling, unencumbered by medical facts, that casts embryos as legally equivalent to living children. This unfortunate and uninformed ruling imperils the future of reproductive medicine, and with it, access to fertility preservation for cancer patients. When a child or young adult is diagnosed with cancer, their…Details
During this uncertain and unprecedented time, the oncofertility community is working together to provide up-to-date fertility preservation information for patients and providers. We are aware of the recommendations from ASRM’s COVID-19 Task Force which suggests new IVF cycles not be initiated at this time. While this pause in services does not apply to urgent fertility preservation for patients…Details
Recently, scientists discovered that certain treatments for cancer and sickle cell disease destroy the germ cells that eventually go on to develop into sperm in the testes of young boys. This means that the treatment, while important, and potentially lifesaving, may permanently impact their fertility should they want to have children down the road. The study was…Details
The Journal Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics has chosen to dedicate an issue to stories about patients and families who faced fertility issues as a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Because children and young adults may have their future ability to become a parent compromised by cancer treatment, it is important that they understand…Details
Many young adult female cancer survivors want children in the future, but, for a variety of reasons, are unable to undergo fertility preservation before treatment. For those who maintain ovarian function after treatment but are at risk for premature ovarian failure, fertility preservation after treatment may be an option. However, patients cannot avail themselves of…Details