It’s not uncommon for people to gift others with money on a birthday, or a graduation, at a wedding, etc.., but what about when people really need it? What about when people are in times of personal crisis? Statistics show that 60% of all bankruptcies are a result of medical costs with most people...
Fertility concerns rank high among newly diagnosed cancer patients of reproductive age. There are several options available to patients interested in preserving their fertility before treatment begins. An often selected choice among patients with a spouse or a committed partner is embryo banking.
As a result of earlier detection and improved treatments, cancer survival statistics have dramatically increased. Some survivors may live with cancer as a chronic disease requiring periodic treatments, while others may go into long-term remission. As many survivors have learned, recovery is often...
Planning a family post-cancer can be a complicated process if a patient’s fertility was compromised during their cancer treatment. Depending on a cancer survivor’s prior treatment regime and subsequent fertility options, a number of family planning options may be available to them. I spoke with ...
The Oncofertility Consortium often uses technical terms when discussing cancer and fertility preservation. In an effort to remove the jargon from reproductive science, Cathryn Smeyers, Program Manager of the Center for Reproductive Research, created Repropedia, which is what we link to on our blog...
Back in February, we blogged about one of our sister programs for the Oncofertility Saturday Academy (OSA) called, the Pennsylvania Academy for Reproductive Sciences otherwise known as the PARS program. Similar to OSA, the PARS program was started to teach high school girls about the research,...
On June 5th, the 18th Annual Cancer Survivors Celebration & Walk is taking place in Chicago, IL, at Grant Park. This leisurely, non-competitive 4 mile walk is a family-focused, community awareness event dedicated to bringing together cancer survivors, friends and family, and all those who have been...
The medical community has known for a very long time that chemotherapy is disruptive to reproductive function and that young women undergoing chemotherapy have a greater chance of entering early menopause. In the 1970s, two articles were published acknowledging these two issues: Depletion of...
The Oncofertility Consortium was developed with the insight that a multidimensional approach would be required to solve the intractable problem of fertility loss in young cancer patients. By bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds in basic science, the humanities and the social...
As you’ve seen in previous blog posts, we’ve discussed the religious implications of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in certain faiths and challenged ourselves to rethink oncofertility in the context of religious traditions. Through analysis and close examination, we can often discuss the...
Addressing fertility preservation with a newly diagnosed cancer patient may seem like a daunting task for a healthcare provider, but studies show that cancer survivors who did not learn about fertility preservation options were more likely to feel distressed by this, impacting their quality of life...
A rapidly expanding body of research indicates that many reproductive health problems and cancers may be caused by exposure to chemicals that are widely dispersed in our environment and which we come into contact on a daily basis. These problems include infertility and cancers of reproductive...
Planning to start a family can be an exciting and exhilarating time. Oftentimes people discuss issues along the lines of finances, space, school districts, career trajectory, etc… The logistics that will have an impact on whether or not you are ready for this next step and/or what you need to do to...
Preparing to parent after cancer treatment can be both an exciting and a terrifying journey depending on what your experience with cancer was and what your current parenting options are. A recent podcast entitled “Adoption or Infertility Treatment after Cancer,” broadcast by Creating a Family, a...
Young cancer patients who choose fertility preservation in the midst of a cancer diagnosis reveal their belief in a future for themselves and in their body’s ability to create life even when faced with death. Oncofertility technologies offer possibilities to cancer patients asking them to...
The contents of the Oncofertility Consortium Blog are for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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